I'm the cool mom on the block!

Cuz I have teal feathers in my hair!

The hottest trend taking over hair salons, or should I say Fly Fishing stores in our area is feather hair extensions.  I learned of this tread from a friend, I thought it was a little strange and didn't really grasp the concept of it, why? I don't get why people would wear feathers in their hair?  Then I saw one of Kate's 4 year old friends wearing feathers in her hair, and it was soooooooo stink'n cute!  So I asked her where she got it done?  "Orvis" she replied.  I asked her mom where Orvis was, and that I had never heard of that salon before.  She said, "oh no, it's not a salon, it's a fly fishing store".  Man, I was confused, so I had to go check it out for myself. Sure enough the owner of Orvis was making feather hair extensions out of left over fly fishing feathers.  They come in pink, orange, teal, yellow, black, blue, purple and every color in between.  The man at the fishing store even puts it in for you!!!  Since he started a few weeks ago, he has put over 700 feather extensions in peoples hair!!  SO, I just HAD to get it done, and I love it! I totally feel like I am in the "IN" crowd, you know the edgy cool people, who are risk takers. 
Oh, wait...It's not just for people either...

Everybodies do'n it! From the big black labs to the little yappy dogs!

How fun is this?

Oh

PS, I can take it out any time Mom. LOL

We spent the whole day at the waterpark! What FUN!

Vacation? or A work weekend?

This weekend I had a BLAST!  Myself, and 2 of my bestfriends, along with the owner of All Grand Events had the opportunity to decorate for a wedding this weekend at the Bay Harbor Yacht Club in Bay Harbor, Michigan, up near Petoskey.  It was AMAZINGLY beautiful!!

It was a picture perfect weekend for the Bride and Groom!  Sunny and 80 at the Little Traverse Bay, it couldn't be more perfect!

We left All Grand Events with two work vehicles loaded to the brim on Friday morning at 10am, drove 4 hours north and arrived at this house in Bay Harbor to set up tables and linens for the rehearsal dinner.  A chef was hired to cater the event for 90 people.

After rehearsal set up, we headed to the church for the rehearsal so I could get a feel of the wedding and help with the wedding party.  Can you say LOOONG Catholic service? But beautiful church!

After rehearsal at the church we had a few hours to start setting up the reception hall before we had to be back at the house to tear down from the rehearsal dinner.  The Dining Room for the reception was spectacular!  After hours and hours of creating centerpieces throughout the wee hours of the night and morning (Yes, we NEVER went to sleep that night, we just worked right on through.)  we were done and ready for guest arrival! 

Here are a few pics I took with my phone, they are not the best, but you get the idea.

The Bride chose Navy Blue, Hot Pink andLime green for her colors and it turned out fabulous, especially for an event at a yacht club, it was very nautical.

We used sliced limes at the base of the Pilsner vase and had a hot pink orchid submerged with water and an Omni candle on top.

We created two floral arrangements, one with hot pink flowers and the other lime green flowers and placed them on 24" martini glasses and added 5 tea light candles at the base, stunning!

A finished table with ivory crushed linens, ivory napkins, wine glasses and silverware.

Looking across the room.

After the ballroom was set up we had a few hours to eat a delicious dinner, go to Kilwins for dessert, shop downtown Bay Harbor, then take a 3 hour nap before tear down.  Sunday we slept in at the hotel, ate lunch, did a little more shopping, then drove home.  It was quite the adventure, and I LOVED every minute of it!

Today is my birthday...

...and I am doing nothing fun:(  Here is whats on the agenda today, you know, in case you were wondering how I was going to spend my day: Laundry, grocery shop, stop by work, more laundry, unpack from our weekend in Kent, go to the bank, watch Martha Stewart during nap and finish the laundry. 

Mike is working, so it is just me and the kids today.  Maybe while I go grocery shopping I could pick up a cake for myself.  It's an idea.



Nick and Hot Pink Lipstick

Kate Yelling: "Moooooooom!!!!!!! Nick played with my make-up without asking!

...and asking permission was the "real" problem here, LOL!

An early rise on 4th of July, but for good reason.

Mike was on the Detroit News!!!!!

...but we will get to that in a minute.

Our 4th of July started at 5:30am with Mike getting home from work and me getting myself and the kids ready to leave the house by 6:30am.  At 6:30 exactly we were driving down the road to start our hour and a half drive to Plymouth, Michigan.  Our goal was to be in Plymouth by 8:00am...we made it just in time.  Is that news worthy?  I don't think so!

By 8:30 we found a comfy cement curb to plop our booties on in downtown Plymouth to watch the 4th of July parade.  

I would say that this was one of the very best parades I have seen. 

There were...

Giant American Flags!

Lots of people of unicycles.

A Fife and Drum Corps.

Firetrucks

and antique bikes with talented riders!

But it's what happened after the parade that is what made this year special and will be held in my memory forever.

Our family (on my Dad's side) was able to witness and participate in a memorial service for my Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Titus Vespatian Hoisington.  Vespatian Hoisington was born in Connecticut on June 8th 1763 and eventually moved to Plymouth, Michigan to live and eventually died there on May 21, 1841. One of Vespatian's accomplishments throughout his life was fighting in the Revolutionary War.  Up until this 4th of July, 170 years later, there has been no recognition of his service and honors in the military or recognition of his death, he had no headstone.  He was Plymouth's only known Revolutionary War Veteran.

With much dedication and hard work Mike (my hubby) and the committee organized a heartfelt and beautiful memorial service for Titus Vespation Hoisington to give him the recognition that he deserved.  This event was even more special for me because Mike was the Master of Ceremony for the event!  It was amazing to see him prepare for the memorial and hear him speak at the service, he did us PROUD!  You did a FANTASTIC JOB!!  By clicking HERE there is a link that was on the Detriot News.  It is Mike's voice throughout most of it.  Kate is by the tombstone in the middle and Nick's hand is touching it at the end.  There was also a very nice article in the Plymouth Observer that you can read HERE (Hey Dad! You are quoted at the end of the article, so read it!). And another write up and video in the Plymouth Patch that you can find HERE.  It was a pretty big deal for the area, there were lots of camera's and video camera's along with several reporters.  The ceremony itself lasted about 45 minutes and included the Mayer of Plymouth speaking, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution speaking, a Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars speaking, an Honor Guard, a Fife and Drum Corps, a 21 gun salute and a Bugler.  The ceremony brought tears to many of peoples eyes.  It was amazing and very touching that Mike and the rest of his committee were able to finally honor my 6th Great Grandfather for his services as a Revolutionary War Veteran.

Mike speaking with the Honor guard next to him.

 The presentation of the Memorial Wreath.

The headstone for Titus Vespatian Hoisington.

Mike (in the blue shirt and yellow tie) and the rest of the Memorial Committee.

Susie's Salsa

Need a dish to pass for a 4th of July picnic?  Give this one a try, it is super delicious and VERY easy to make!  It is called New Orleans Salsa, but better known in my house as Susie's Salsa.  Susie is a dear friend of the family who introduced us to this scrumptious and HEALTHY dish, therefore we have renamed it "Susie's Salsa".

Prepare dressing first:

1/2 cup sugar (You can substitute sugar with Splenda if you would like.)

3/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

In a small saucepan:

Combine sugar, vinegar and oil

Bring to a boil while stirring.

Let cool.

 

 

Chop (small dice) ingredients

1 red pepper

1 green pepper

1 yellow pepper

1 orange pepper

1 large red onion

I use the small grid on this fantastic $10 kitchen tool, The Vidalia Chop Wizard.  It is so easy, quick and FUN to use.  I highly recommend buying one of these.  If you don't have one, you can just chop all of the ingredients with a knife.

Drain and rinse:

1 can white corn

2 cans of black beans

1 can of black-eyed peas

Combine all ingredients (including oil and vinegar combo) in a large bowl and stir together. This recipe makes a TON!

Serve with Tostitos Scoops or just eat like a salad, delicious either way.

Tastes even better after it sits for a while.  I recommend making it a few hours before you plan on serving it.  Even better, make it the day before and let it sit over night.

Enjoy!