2014 Gift Guide

It's the Friday after Thanksgiving. For the love of God, do not leave your house to go shopping. Please do not support the craziness that is Black Friday. Stay home and shop in your pajamas like normal people.

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For the stylish yet fitness obsessed female in your life, you cannot go wrong with an Athleta or Lulemon gift card. Or any one of these training journals would certainly be well received.

And for that dirty hippie in your family, soaps from The Tiny Farm Company. You can make up a basket full or just stuff their unwashed wool hiking socks with them.

Got a beer loving man, budding craft brewer, or whiskey distiller? Check out this stoneware growler, mini-beer pong set, or whiskey rocks.

Shopping for a foodie? Well how much do you want to spend? A great set of knives perhaps? A Cuisinart Food Processor?  A new cookbook? How about this super stylish cookbook/tablet holder for the home chef who already has a million cookbooks?

This sweet print would be perfect for child or gardener.

And for the person skilled in fiber arts. A gorgeous handmade yarn bowl.

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Gift giving doesn't have to involve stopping by your local Voldemart (the store which must not be named) and grabbing the first gift set that you see. Put a tiny bit of thought into your holiday gifts or at the very least just give a gift card to ensure that your offering isn't re-gifted or stuffed in a closet for all eternity. 

Is It Fall Yet?

I don't mean to be wishing Summer away but oh man it is some kinda hot in an Arkansas August. We spent last weekend in the beautiful Shady Mountains and I couldn't help but drag these early pumpkins along with us to pretty up the camp.

It kind of felt like a last hurrah to the dog days but I know it will still be hot for a long while. Our swimming and camping and lazing about is not over with yet.

This was only the second time we have taken the kids camping and it was easier this time than last. Maybe because we've upgraded some gear (and plan to continue to do). Maybe because we were camping outside a cabin with a bunch of other folks and we had access to a kitchen and bathroom (that really helped). Or maybe because with each day older our kids get, the easier it becomes to venture out in the world with them. They love the woods. They love camping. They spend hours upon hours in the river when allowed to.

There is really nothing better than a bunch of kids becoming best buds by the end of a weekend in the woods.

Hi!

I honestly didn't intend to go so long in between posts. So quick catch up!

 

I went trail running. But its been a few weeks ago. The sunrise is especially

 awesome in the woods this time of year.

 

We did the whole Halloween thing. We hardly ever do this. My kids

can't eat the candy anyways so we usually avoid it. This year they were more

about the dressing up part. Stella had never ever had makeup on before. I think that

was her favorite part.

 

Vampire Princess and Harry Potter.

 

Naturally.

 

Maggie and I dressed as twins. Yep. We are dorks.

 

I took this picture in an attempt to show my sister that I do

indeed have chickens with sexy hair.

 

We went hiking with the dogs and this happened on the way. Allie is

a neurotic car rider. Boss just doesn't care.

The woods were extra beautiful on top of Rich Mountain.

 

We traversed the trail down to a late 1800's stone reservoir that once

serviced Queen Wilhelmina Lodge.

 

 

I'm telling you the colors were amazing.

 

And once you got back up to the top, the sky was pretty amazing as well.

 

 

Stella and I bundled up to watch the last soccer game of the year.

Can I get a hallelujah?

 

I got an early birthday present from Warren. I love real wood products.

 

There were numerous moments over the last few weeks that I have been

ever grateful for the opportunity to homeschool my children.

 

And we are just almost done with the kitchen. It just needs grout and then I can

share the full transformation.

 

Girls night! Stuffed shrooms!

 

My crazy friend Emily, whom I adore.

 

And man oh man! It is cold in Arkansas right now. We're talking tights, flannels, and woolen

socks with coffee in hand at all times cold.

 

See? Cash insisted on doing his math lesson bundled to the max.

 

 

Okay! You are officially caught up.

 

 

 

 

Adventures

Hey! In lieu of a bunch of words explaining how life has been great and busy and overwhelming, take a look at these pictures and get kinda sorta caught up. Meet you at the bottom with fantastic news!

Cashman turned seven. Seven! He is so big. And sweet. And LEGO obsessed.

A sneak peek of the remodel that turned our garage into a living room, took nearly 3 months to complete, and almost broke the bank. So worth it!

We've hiked a lot in the hills and mountains.



Taking a rest during a long hike.

He got totally ganged up on by the pups.

Our part of Arkansas is gorgeous! They don't call it the Natural State for nothing.



Sugarbaby has mad pie baking skills which she demonstrated over Thanksgiving.

As if our life isn't chaotic enough we added a new family member. Meet Boss the German Shepherd.



Turning 30 and celebrating with my sistah soul gal Mags!


 



My other favorite gal Celeste helped me bring in a new decade as well.

So about that fantastic news!

 

 

We have gone off the deep end. Literally and figuratively. After Christmas

break is over we are staring are most exciting adventure yet. School at home.

Homeschooling. Learning outside the box. Living outside the norm. Yes, I am

crazy. Yes, I am terrified.

 

But I am also a bit thrilled. I won't talk it up too much at this point. Just expect

a lot more posting from me once we get started. I shut down my Facebook account

(gasp!) in order to be more focused on the kids once we start. Wish us good thoughts!

See you back here real soon!

 

Hot Weather Makes For Hot Yoga

Monday evening found me drowning in my own sweat at our new local yoga studio.

This wasn't a scheduled hot yoga class.

This was the result of being in a very old building, on the top floor, with a broken air conditioner, in July, with 105 on the thermostat, in Arkansas. All those things add up to one very very hot class.

Strangely enough, I enjoyed the extreme heat. This was my 3rd class in the past two weeks and I can already see a tiny improvement in my stretchability. Stretchiness? Bendability? I attended another class last night and while the sivasana might be my favorite part, I really do like seeing just how far I can get into warrior poses. And balance poses like dancer and tree are almost like a game. How long can I stay up? Can I do it without shaking? Our instructor always says to pick a focal point for our balance poses. The lovely thing about this studio, is the old tall windows lining the wall that look out directly at Rich Mountain. A mountain top as a focal point? I'll take it!

Last night's class was extra special because a very close friend who I only see once a year or so attended with me. When we were kids playing in the hayfield, I never would have imagined we would be women one day, in a yoga class, practicing side by side. In a moment I would flashback to our childhood, and then marvel at how old we have gotten. When you have known each other for over twenty years, twenty-nine can feel old.

I would love to fill you in on my recent runs, except....yeah that just hasn't really been any. Warren drug me out for an evening run about 4 or 5 days ago. We banged out 4 miles at a pretty quick pace. I don't think we set out to run that fast, we were just trying to beat the sunset. It was only about 95 degrees so not too bad. I attempted to run on the treadmill the day before yesterday. It is outside in our large shop. 1.5 miles into it, I threw in the towel. It was completely ridiculous to try and run in that heat. I can hardly wait for cooler weather. I miss November and December morning runs.

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My IQS experiment is going well. I am into Week 2, the phase where you eat more fat. Not a problem for this gal! Breakfast this morning was a few slices of deli ham, topped with a bit of fresh tomato, two poached eggs, and provolone cheese. Accompanied by coffee with heavy cream. I am making a promise to my body to never ever ever have a Skinny Vanilla Latte' again. After drinking my coffee with cream or half and half, I can't even understand why I thought that fake sweetener taste was any kind of good.

I received an advance copy of Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo and will be reviewing it here on SugarBritches in a few days. Each one of my darling kiddos is picking out a recipe to try. Look forward to fun pictures and commentary from the little ones. I can tell you from what I have already read, this book is the go to book for anyone interested in Paleo. The wealth of information is outstanding. It is that good!

Kombucha Tea & A Girl Named Maggie

I fully believe that everyone has a friend named Maggie. I also fully believe that everyone named Maggie is automatically an amazing person. Not your run of the mill awesomeness. No. That does not suffice. If you do know someone named Maggie they are probably the most fun, free spirited, happy friend you have. I am also under the impression that my friend Maggie is the best Maggie ever out of all the extraordinary Maggies out there. If Maggie were a color she would be every color of the rainbow. If Maggie were a feeling she would be inspired, calm, joyful, patient. Basically when Maggie walks into a room, the entire room turns on its axis and rotates around her. She just does that to ya.

One day 3 or so years ago, Maggie dropped by out of the blue. And I know it was that long ago because in this picture my walls were still paneling. But she didn't stop in empty handed. She never does. On that day she came bearing the biggest, juiciest peaches I have ever laid eyes on. Sugarbaby was delighted with the gift and the gift giver.

Having known Maggie since I was about 13, I have been witness to many of these amazing expressions. Here is just one of my favorites.

She is one of those old souls, capable of spreading wisdom and joy wherever she goes. Which is a lot of places!

I haven't even touched on her sense of style. That would be a whole post in itself. Maybe I can convince her to model a few of her favorite ensembles. Almost everything is thrifted, found, or gifted to her. I took her to Target last month and she remarked that she hadn't been in a Target in 5 years or more.

Maggie truly is my most talented friend. Teacher, naturalist, artist. She is Mother Nature's best friend. My tattoo? Custom Maggie. She took my words and wrote them. Over and over and over. Once we got the perfect one, I took it with me to Black Sparrow.

Why am I going on and on about MY friend Maggie? Well, cause like I said. She is awesome. And she's getting married! I haven't been this excited about a wedding since the Husband and I hightailed it to Vegas for our own nuptials. Her future Mr. Maggie is one of the most laid back guys I have met and could not be a more perfect partner for her.

CONGRATULATIONS MAGGIE!

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Kombucha tea anyone?

The last time Mags dropped by she brought us our very own Kombucha culture. Skeptical as always, I eyed the organism but followed her specific directions in the care and feeding of Kombucha. I brewed my tea, dumped in the SCOBY and waited. Dude...............dude. Kombucha tea is awesome.

It might not look awesome. But it is awesome.
You just try really hard not to think about the SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria & yeast) that was floating in the tea before you drank it. YUM!


Here is to good health and long life, and my good friend Maggie!

This Post Brought To You By Adverse Weather Conditions

So...as much as we need rain in our drought stricken area of the country, I am none to happy at this moment that my morning run got cancelled by a thunderstorm. Rain is okay to run in. Lighting...not so much.

Not to mention I've been up since 4:30am when my phone rang. Phone calls at that hour are either a) an emergency or b) some idiot drunk. This was option b. No, I'm not Josh and I bet Josh wouldn't appreciate it if you had actually gotten his number right. That is unless it was an emergency for him. But I'm betting not.

Random beach picture thrown in for good measure. This is me and my absolute best forever childhood friend, Lindsay. We spent a good 7 years attached at the hip. We literally lived together for about a year at one point in time. Meaning, her and her mother shared a house with me and my mother. She is my sister, one of my all time favorite people, and isn't she just the cutest thing? We stayed at her MIL's condo on our Florida trip, because lucky Lindsay lives in Gulf Breeze. Must be hard being her.

The point of this photo is to illustrate that I am officially 14lbs heavier than I was this time last year. Something has to be done. In fact something is being done. I am down 4 of those pesky pounds from last week already. It's not that I stopped working out, although I did become a lazy ass runner, it's that I was out eating my workouts. Did you know that is possible? Yes. Yes it is. You can go to the gym 4 days a week and spend an hour there each time and gain weight. I know some of it was muscle but way way too much of it is not fitting in my jeans right. Luckily I know how to fix it. I've ramped up my running and cut back my eating.

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School started last Tuesday and if you have read this blog ever in your life before this post you know that second only to Christmas and Thanksgiving, it is my favorite day of the year. This is how excited I was last year. 

And here is the obligatory first day photo.

I should have lined them up under the house numbers. But...whatever. I now officially have a Kindergartener, a Third Grader, and a Sugarbaby. She was all set up to start her first of two years of preschool, but at some point over the summer her father and I decided to send her back to her beloved Miss Christy. Preschool is not ready for Sugarbaby. She is rotten. Bad to the bone. Hell on wheels. She defines the phrase "payin for your raising."

Two cups of coffee down and the house is still asleep. I'm going to whip up a batch of homemade cinnamon rolls and score major points with the family. Maybe enough that they will let me take a nap.

Happybirthdayafterthanksgiving...

Everyone have a fabulous Turkey Day?

Yes? Good. Me too.

Anyone find the fact that my birthday fell on Black Friday this year a coincidence? Yeah, didn't think so. While you're out battling each other for flat screens, remember me will ya.

Things are about to get uber busy. Even more so than normal. Holidays and work and the decision that I think I'm going to run a half marathon which means I have to train for a half marathon. So in order not to neglect my well loved blog, I have shamelessly stolen a game of blog prompts from Kerri. Hopefully this will at least give me a tiny bit of motivation to post more often.

Here is how it works, you are supposed to do these 30 posts in 30 days but oh lordy we know that will never happen. I'll be lucky just to complete all of these.

Post 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Post 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Post 3-Your first love
Post 4-Your parents
Post 5-Your siblings
Post 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Post 7-Favorite movies
Post 8-A place you've traveled to
Post 9-A picture of your friends
Post 10-Something you're afraid of
Post 11-Favorite tv shows
Post 12-What you believe
Post 13-Goals
Post 14-A picture you love
Post 15-Bible verse
Post 16-Dream house
Post 17-Something you're looking forward to
Post 18-Something you regret
Post 19-Something you miss
Post 20-Nicknames
Post 21-Picture of yourself
Post 22-Favorite city
Post 23-Favorite vacation
Post 24-Something you've learned
Post 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Post 26-Picture of your family
Post 27-Pets
Post 28-Something that stresses you out
Post 29-3 Wishes
Post 30-a picture



Time to get started:

Post 1 Introduce, Recent Picture, 15 Interesting Facts

Hi, I'm Dory. And I don't ever think I've eaten a fish.

Sorry. Sorry. I'm a parent and a bit goofy. I seriously could not help myself. Let's try that again.

I'm Ashley aka SugarBritches. 28 year old wife, mother, runner, baker, maid, assistant, tutor, chef, laundress, etc. etc. etc. I live a pretty typical Southern life. More can be found  in the tabs at the top if you are really that interested.

This picture was taken at my husband's most recent class reunion.

Interesting facts:
1. I hate overhead lighting.
2. My daughter, mother, grandmother, and myself all share the same middle name.
3. I grew up on a Quarter Horse farm and showed when I was young.
4. I love to cook.
5. I am my husband's main homebrew taste tester.
6. I took up running a year ago and am straight up addicted.
7. No, I never ran in high school.
8. I just partied a whole lot in high school.
9. I was GCE State President my senior year.
10. I have had 15 cars since turning 15.
11. I can read a novel faster than you can go grocery shopping.
12. I am absolutely horrible with money.
13. I am a pathological liar.
14. No, I'm not.
15. I often come off as snobby, I'm not, I just really don't like to talk to people. Wait? What?

Sweet Surprise

I just love receiving packages in the mail.

Especially when they come from one of my favorite Etsy stores, made

by one of my favorite bloggers.

I love them so much more when they were sent by my bloggy BFF.

Look at these beauties! So very me. I usually only wear silver, pearl, or turquoise. Lucky me they were combined in one.

Michelle is a giver. Leave her alone about it she says. Right now she is doing some major giving in anticipation of her birthday. Check out what she's got up her sleeve and maybe one of you can help her out or give her some suggestions.

I just love that girl and her awesome creative and giving spirit.

Checking In

I'm back. Kind of.

I mean I will still kind of be touch and go on the blog because I came home to a house filled with sawdust. Yuck.

But on the other hand I came home to a house with gorgeous new floors. Booyah.

It was a great trip filled with much shopping and eating as it should be. Not so much drinking cause yeah, my hostess is prego. And I did take my camera, but... I didn't take a single picture. Bad blogger. Bad.

And also, I need a moment to brag. Cause this is my blog, it's mainly about me and well anyone who knows me knows how hard I've worked to get to this point. Anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time over 6 months knows my struggle with my weight and how much I hate it. I actually tried on clothes (in a store) for the first time in a long time and I'm pretty sure I scarred all the other dressing room patrons for life with my extremely loud "Hell yeah!" as I slipped on a size 8 and they were loose. Size 8. Eight as in two sizes smaller than I was. I have to tell you that size 8 tastes so much better than chocolate.

But it's not over. The exercise has become a routine and although my routine has slowed down due to Spring 2010 Renovation, once that is over it is on full time again. The eating needs to be improved cause having your house in shambles and traveling kind of makes one want to eat whatever is easiest and that is usually junk.

Huge pinky promise that the very next post (which might not be until Friday or something) will contain before and after pics of the living room and kitchen. Hell I might get all fancy and do a video walk through for you. But if I did that you would all hear my accent and make fun of my like my Yankee bloggy BFF Michelle. I tend to channel my inner Sookie, especially after a few drinks.

Y'all have a terrific week and I'll be back in full force sooner than later.
Probably.
Maybe.
Hopefully.

I Am So Hungry

You guys are powerful. What you have to say is very motivational and very supportive. I mean you totally talked me into buying the skinny jeans. So I have to tell you something cause I know you'll understand and fix me right up. I've totally bombed on my diet the last two weekends. I eat perfect every weekday, but my cheat day has turned into two consecutive cheat days. And today....whoa boy. Cheated my ass off.

I know tomorrow I'll be fine. I'll run and eat great. But I've got to break the weekend habit right now before it gets out of control. Help!

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I've got this idea to post pictures of the house projects as they are happening. I'm lacking blog material and I'll be busy with this so why not. Right now I finally feel that Sugarbaby's room is done. Here is the entire room from all angles minus the closet. I just forgot that one. It's white. Use your imagination.

The Master bedroom (which is tiny but does have its own bathroom) isn't done. We still need a new light fixture and some wall hangings. I'm severely lacking in decor. Lots of furniture. Little decor. Anyways, just got new bedding and y'all...it is sexy! The sheets are like buddah. And they better be, cause sexy doesn't come cheap. Or maybe it does. We are in Arkansas.

Finally, the before picture of what I am tackling this week. My extremely long, extremely 80's kitchen. It has a updated stove and dishwasher and that is it. This week will be spent prepping, priming and painting. Then in a few weeks the husband is going to install a new floor. I'm leaving that weekend. My poor ears couldn't handle the installation process. He's going to need a lot of beer.

(in this picture I'm leaned up against the kitchen side of the bar. that is a lot of damn counter space)