The Weekly Pulp

Whew, I’ve been up to my neck in projects this week!  I should say, up to my neck in dirt, rocks, weeds, spraypaint… it’s garden season, and I’ve been hard at work sprucing up my yard after 3 years of pregnancy and I-have-a-newborn-baby yard neglect.  I’m afraid we were starting to become “those neighbors” whose yard threatens to lower property values– ha!

Here’s a “before” photo.  Stay tuned for the “after” coming soon, thank goodness.  It’s a totally different space.

In a super-lucky turn of events, two of my outdoor projects will be featured on other blogs, including The CSI Project on Tuesday.  I’ll post a link once they go live!

In other news, it’s a certain miracle baby’s birthday today.  Can’t believe my little firecracker is turning THREE.

It’s a holiday weekend, I’m sure you aren’t checking in on blogs, but just in case… I couldn’t leave you in the dark about a few important things:

::: On July 4th, Karing for Keegan will kick off an amazing online auction of some pretty fabulous items.  Keegan’s mom, Beth, wrote about their journey in a guest post last fall: Our Recipe for Sour but Fulfilling Lemonade.  This sweet baby boy’s medical journey has not ended, and this month they’ll be living in NYC to undergo experimental treatment to treat his recurring cancer.  All money from the auction will go directly to Keegan’s family to help pay for medical care.  If you are on Facebook, go ahead and “like” the Karing for Keegan auction.  You can preview the auction now, snag something great when it opens on the 4th, AND help little Keegan!

::: Speaking of Facebook, I finally set up a Making Lemonade page.  What I love most about being on Facebook are the discussions you can have, I love a great dialog!  It would mean so much if you could go ahead and “like” my page.  I’m hoping we can get some great topics going on there, sneak peeks at in-progress projects, highlight other blogs I love, and of course the random photo or two of Noodle and Bee.  {while you are at it, I’m very active on Twitter so go ahead and follow me so I can follow you right back!}

:::I should probably also mention I’m on Pinterest, but I feel I’ve already asked so much of you.  It really deserves it’s own post, so once I finish the other 849 posts I’ve half written about other things I’ll write one.  If you are on Pinterest, let me know so I can follow your boards!

:::  {singing off-key} baby you’re a firework!  go ahead and show them what you’re worth… 
When I first heard Katy Perry’s “Firework” song I started to cry buckets.  The lyrics remind me of Noodle, born just before the holiday.  We watched fireworks over the Philly skyline from the hotel during her NICU stay.  I truly can’t believe our little firework turns three this weekend.  It’s been the longest three years of our life, but I’m sure when we look back at this time we’ll feel like it went by in a blink.  Anyone up for attempting these fireworks cookies featured on Martha Stewart’s cover this month?  Andrea at Four Flights of Fancy shows you how to easily decorate them like a pro.

::: If you live in the Philly area and are as addicted to thrifting as I am, Diane at In My Own Style is hosting the local I Love Thrifting event on July 9th.  I’ll be out of town (boo for missing it, yay for going on another girls’ weekend!) but I’m sure Diane would love to see you there!

:::  Did you buy the Old Navy Groupon a weeks back?  This is a good weekend to use it; they are having a buy 2, get 1 free sale this weekend.  Mix and match anything in the store (except accessories).  There’s a bunch of items around $5 in the girls’ department (flag tees, select bathing suits, $6 cover-ups, clearance tanks…) so you could get 6 items for the $10 Groupon if you shop carefully.

:::  Speaking of Groupon, I purchased one to a local restaurant awhile back and due to my husband’s travel schedule (and, um, having two kids under 3 years old) we weren’t able to use it before it expired.  I called Groupon the day before the expiration date, and they credited the money to my account!  I thought that was great, I’ve been so impressed with this company.  Thought I’d share in case you ever purchase one and can’t use it.  Just call, they should credit you the money toward a future Groupon.