Not a good Scene

As we've all heard - Colorado is battling several wildfires. One near our beloved Colorado Springs. Too bad we can't send them some of the monsoon-like rains we've been having. Stay safe, dear friends-

Whatcha got Cookin?

We're running on an upside down schedule around here (the odd schedule and lack of sleep feels like we have a newborn). Scott & Sten are servicing toilets every night at the Trials from 9:30pm - 2am. When they return (to the motorhome on site), they are starving - so we have been having "dinner" at 2am. The new recipe I tried last night (er, this morning) is simple and delicious - I had to share. It's called "man pleasing chicken" - and it certainly lived up to it's name - YUM!

1 1/2 lbs of chicken (calls for thighs but (blech) I can't stand thighs)
1/2 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 T rice wine vinegar

I chose to cook in a skillet - but the oven instructions are to bake at 450 for 40 minutes. The sauce gets carmelized and crispy - will definitely make again.

New Door Stickers

It's not ideal to be installing stickers at the event, but that was our only option yesterday. We had overnight guests at our house and they were roped in as free labor (let this be a warning).

Tracktown USA. Yeah, there's gonna be cheering for those that are jumping high, running fast and throwing far- but the crowds are gonna be gathered near the portable toilets in awe of our new stickers!

Ahhh, summer vacation - what fun!

Before - no stickers.

While we were dragging our stuff from one batch of toilets to the next, Susie and Sten flew by on a golf cart. Must think they were VIP's or something.

Sherman was even "in" on the fun. Doesn't he look like he's having a blast?

After! Looking fabulous.

Wedding Jitters

Erika & Willy - on a rope swing over the pond

Susie - sister of the groom, sporting an (ouch) sunburn

I was responsible for a little staging - 2 lemonade stands and some table decor. This was crafted from a pallet - the uprights are 2 fence posts from a free pile that we quickly threw in the back of "Katrina" after Sunday morning meeting.

The large lemonade stand was crafted from a 10$ Craigslist table (sold by a certain questionable character). It was painted, sanded, stained, sawed on and screwed to. The final product is adorable . . .

Miss Maren - waiting for the event to begin. The setting was unbelievably gorgeous. Last September, the existing pond was drained and reworked. Since then, there has been hundreds of hours of landscaping and LOTS of rain - an extreme before & after.

Schools Out!

Maren & Mr. Swanson - last day of 3rd grade

The Stellar 6th Grader

Milah graduated from the 6th grade today. She earned a Presidential Excellence Award for her outstanding academic achievement and she is very anxious to move onto Junior High. Her teacher for the past 2 years had extremely high expectations - assuring them success in the future.

I do! like weddings!

I am helping "stage" a wedding.  This is a former gun safe, now cookie stand. 

Craiglist Special.  Soon to be - Lemonade Stand

Pillow Talk . . .

Here's how it goes . . . goodnight *smack* love you, love you too. A few minutes later . . . Hey, did you call that guy back about the toilet in Harrisburg? What did we decide about donating units to that event? Are the stickers gonna make it in time? You get the picture.

Next week, we are setting toilets at the Olympic Trials in Eugene. We are servicing these toilets every night from 11pm-2am. I am quickly trying to locate a summer rental in Eugene - an attempt to get a little more sleep and save gas $.

I DO! Need more time before this wedding!

More wedding preparations . . . a window frame saved from the trash - now chalkboard. LOVE this saying. They have "chalk pens" that are easier to write with than a piece of chalk. I used a combination of both on this.

The centerpieces are going to be a mixture of wine bottles, mason jars, slabs of wood and tin cans. Multiple trips to the recycling depot yielded several wine bottles.

Getting the labels off can be a pain. Also my cutting method isn't 100% successful which means that I need to scrounge for more bottles.

1. Use a bottle cutter to score a line on the bottle. Simply roll it in the device, keeping it tight against the guard - it will not slice the bottle in half - it just makes a weak point. I did a little research before purchasing this one - it is an Ephrems - had decent reviews.

2. Pour boiling water over the etched line.

3. Immediately after, pour ice water over the line.

4. Repeat the process as needed.

5. As you hold the neck of the bottle, you may need to twist the base - it will "pop" right off, giving you a clean edge.

It feels like a 70's kind of project - next I'll be making macrame plant hangers and crocheting beer can hats.

The Loo Redo

Many years ago - the toilet salesmen called Scott and mentioned that they'd mistakenly ran a "batch" of white toilets. After some consideration we decided to buy a few and target them for use at weddings - we called them "White Houses".

The White Houses were in deperate need of a scrubbing and a remodel . . .

We had a sticker designed to cover the door and they turned out amazing!

The toilets are rented in pairs. All have a "no touch" style tank and are equipped with a sink - one has a urinal and one does not.

Detail on the graphics - we used different words for "toilet" - I LOVE EM! You understand now - it's easy to be passionate about toilets!