erica danielle

Update! I had LOTS of margin in my week and it felt so good. We didn’t go anywhere and had to stay home for a few different things, and it was amazing to have time.  I know not every week can look like this, but it sure felt right for this week. I love taking pictures of fresh bread. Why?? I don’t know. It just makes me so happy. We got a new couch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was on our list back in July when we moved in, but we didn’t know couches were so expensive until we went shopping. So we saved for 10 months and voila! New couch! We can’t stop talking about how much we love it. I think about 20x a day we comment on how obsessed we are with it. #adult. These 3 pictures is what margin looks like to me. 2 clean cars later we played/ sat outside for 4 hours. I love this for so many reasons, but watching my kids be kids is at the very core of why I need more margin in my life. Being able to have the time to stop and do nothing makes life so sweet for me. I am than...

#oops. it's saturday. we've been running around lately and I don't feel like I'm doing the greatest job of leaving margin in my life, like my 18 for 2018... ahhh! Good thing tomorrow starts a new week and I can give it a fresh start. It was hot this week (my favorite), we spent all of Wednesday at the cabin with my mama. That was a highlight for sure. I also got to go on a walk with a friend Thursday evening, which always makes me feel like a human. Friday was spent in the best way possible: -a run with Kate in the morning, -a park date with my friend Ashley and her little guy Mason, -yoga class, -home for a quick nap for little olle man -Kinnickinnic State Park where we dropped the kids off with Gracia so they could adventure, then -Sten and I checked out a super cute brewery in River Falls. We had some really good conversation, and lets me honest --any time I get to spend with him is special to me. Today we've been checking thing off the list, and it fe...

This episode of Friday Favs brought to you by Lucy's OOTD (outfit of the day). She's spunky, and she loves to dress herself in the most random assortment of all the hand-me-downs we get from EXTREMELY generous and gracious friends/family. Seriously, the gift of clothing for my kids? It's saved us hundreds and hundreds of dollars. We have a busy weekend. We're hosting a dinner club tonight (1st ever!) and then tomorrow I'm pacing the Get it Dunn run in Menomonie, and then Sunday is Mother's Day, which is sure to be a sweet day with family. Enjoy my little Lucy's fashion inspiration: Seriously, isn’t she the best?  XO, edc.

Well, I didn’t get to this until Sunday, but that is actually very telling of my week. I felt rushed and was late to most things this week, and did not live up to one of my 18 for 2018, which is to create more margin on my life. It’s ok though. It is a new day, and this was actually a great week despite my running around. My sister’s been on spring break this week and I always get giddy about this-- more time to play and hang out! They were gone the beginning of the week, so we really lived it up Friday. We met mom and dad at Jerry’s in Woodbury for donuts, then headed to underwater world, from there we hit up various favs at the MOA before going back to Jessica’s to play, then heading to happy hour at Boca Chica where the guys met us and we ate lots of chips and salsa, guacamole, and drank margaritas. I'm calling it a "Friday Favorite" because it was ON Friday and I've basically spaced the rest of the week, because, lets be honest, it is SUNDAY.  These two, wi...

It’s Easter weekend! So excited for our first MIDCURRENT Easter and to see all the beautiful faces on Sunday morning. I missed Easter with my fam last year because I was running the Boston Marathon, so this feels like an extra special year, although I also wouldn’t mind being in Boston right now. 😉 This week seemed to fly, for no reason in particular, we stayed busy with the usual stuff, and I just loved all the sunny times I got to have with the kids. 1. Lucy and I got all dressed up on Saturday and went to my cousins tea party bridal shower in Eau Claire, it was so special to me and I think to her too. Of course cousin olive was there, so it was super fun girl time. 2.  Our Tuesday dinner club included these cuties (Noah + LT) and their mamas. We ate Santa Fe chicken and played and played and played. Love these 3 boys, and how Lucy takes on the role of mother hen when we’re all together. 3. I sent this picture to Sten on Wednesday with a caption that read “ughh...

 This Friday favorites is brought to you by Birthday week... xo. edc 💛 I drove out to Menomonie to run Kate's training run with her on Saturday. It was such a treat to go at 10am, logging in lots of miles with my running buddy. I so miss running with Kate. Wish we still lived a mile away from each other! BIRTHDAY dinner with Sten! We had a cozy night watching the snow fall, it was literally our second dumping in two days, and I can't say I was super thrilled about it.... BUT getting to spend the evening with Sten always makes things better. :) Bday dinner with my family. There is so much comfort around this table. Growing up, we only ate at the dinning room table: 1. when we had company 2. at Thanksgiving 3. at Christmas Eve for our manicotti dinner in between church services. Now that our family is a whopping 10 people, this is always our table when we're all together. Therefore, it has turned into such a happy spot. Family dinners, with delicious food from ...

I have lots of happy memories from this week. Monday being one of the best days:  1. My mama and sister and the kids came to the Hudson YMCA and we swam, did body pump, then came back to our house for lunch and playing. It was such a good day. These 3 have really been playing well together and it always feels like a gaping hole when they leave. Playmates gone, only mom and Olle to entertain the ever-going Lucy. They were tooth fairies at this moment, and it was so cute to watch them flutter around. 2.  I’ve been pretty good at getting to yoga 2x a week at the Y. I  think it’s my favorite thing right now, and I can feel my body starting to remember old rhythms and the way I can move on the mat. I have also realized how my flexibility has a long way to go, so I’m glad to be intentional about my yoga-ing again :) 3.  More creating with this one. Princess stamps and colored pencils while Olle man snoozes. He’s been taking monster naps 3+ hours, so we’ve got a lot of ...

Happy December! This month I hope to live with intention. Every day setting a goal for myself and for our family. This time of year Sten and I start talking about all the highlights of our year, and I love being in a habit of remembering the good things. The times we laughed a lot and felt secure and loved within the confines of close family and friends. I hope to make lots of memories this December. I hope we can look back 31 days from now, and say: That was a really good month. SO onward and upward! Here are my favorites from this week. 1. Lucy started swimming lessons at the YMCA and I seriously cannot handle what it's done to me. The amount of pride I have for her is not healthy. I want to tell everyone I meet how good at swimming she is in just 5 little weeks. She absolutely loves it as well. She cannot wait for Monday mornings and asks almost daily if it's a swimming lesson day. I can see why parents love to watch their kids play sports, it is an instant joy-bringer. T...

Olle woke me up at 4:40am yesterday so I got to enjoy a little more of thanksgiving than the average person. #lucky.....  In actuality, yesterday was my favorite in so many ways. We were at my aunt and uncles in Chippewa Falls, and the whole day was happy, beginning to end. Wish I would have taken A picture- but I didn’t, so I’ll just say it was 40 people, lots of kids in the mix, 2 trampolines, a hot tub, games, a wintery walk, bocce ball, ultimate frisbee, Vikings game and of course So. Much. Food. I love my family, and my memories of thanksgiving are some of the best of all my growing up. I've decided it’s just as great getting to watch my kids enjoy this holiday, too. Today is sunny and unexpectedly warm, we’ve been playing outside, and organizing the garage and have loved a slow day at home. We even snuck in a Starbucks date. Shocking. So this is my Friday favorite. A single picture to say that I’m thankful that these 3 see me at my best and at my worst and stil...

I can't even handle today... it's the day we leave for our anniversary getaway! AHHHH! I seriously couldn't wait for today to get here, and now I have to tick everything off my to do list before dropping the kids off at 5:30. AWAY WE GO! always my favorite, and especially this weekend, when I get to spend all the hours with him! Each night after we put these 2 to bed I am SO OVER parenting a 4yr old and a 2 yr old.... but sure enough, each morning these 2 wiggle their way into my heart. Moms in the trenches, I feel you, and I hope you feel me. Every day I have grand plans of making a difference, and most days I go to bed glad I kept them alive and apologized when I yelled. Mom-ing is not for the faint of heart, and I am thankful that Lucy and Olle are 2 of my favorites, even tho I question it at times :) CANNOT wait for this event! It's going to be part shopping, part cookie decorating, part giving back and it all takes place in the coziest, dreamiest place...

Friday! YES!!! This weekend is extra special because Grammy and Mim are visiting AND we have our SECOND preview service. The kids have been talking about Grammy and Mim all week long and I'm sure they will be completely bombarded as soon as they walk in the door. Here are a few of my favorites from the week: 1. I made Swedish Toast yesterday for our visitors coming tomorrow. Have you ever had this stuff?? You can dip it into your morning coffee for a slice of Sweden right in your kitchen. I asked Sten's Grandma to teach me how to make it one afternoon, and my favorite part of it all is that her writing is on the recipe card. How special is Grandma writing? I remember when I was little and would get letters from my Grandma and how hard it was to decipher the cursive words. Now I so appreciate that fancy style and wish I could adopt it as my own. If you'd like this recipe here it is: Swedish Coffee Toast 2. The kids and I went to the Millers house yesterday for a p...

I'll have to name this one Monday favorites, because, well it's Monday and I'm just getting to this. We had a nice weekend, I can't even recall most of the things we did. Although I know I did 6 loads of laundry, so that always feels so productive. Some of my favorites from the week: 1. We helped take out the dock and get the cabin ready for winter, we lit the coziest of fires and bundled up in the cabin. It was such a stark contrast from running inside and out with bathing suits on, but the crackling fire was one of my VERY favorite memories of the week. Winter always whispers: slow down, enjoy the quiet, recharge, drink tea. I need those reminders often in my life. 2. Sten works from a coffee shop most days, and when he announced Thursday morning that he was headed to Starbucks, Olle quickly chimmed in: Me, visit, you, daddy? He speaks in such clearly spaced words these days, it's like a little pause before each new word comes tumbling out of his mo...

How did another week go by so fast? This week has been amazing. So many happy days spent outside in the warm sunshine that finally returned. Some of my favorites today: 1. Always my 3 favorites. And any Fall activity with them is FUN! We went to a bday party last weekend and got to pick pumpkins.  2. We celebrated our sweeties: Lucy and Olive turning 4 with a mermaid themed party last night... and is there anything better than having your family around your table?!?!?!?!  3. It's this girl's 31st Bday today. She is my other half in so many ways and I hate that she lives in CA. I wish we could spend all day together doing the million things we love to do together (and of course solving all our problems). Emily, you make the world a better place. I thank God that he knew I needed you at camp all those years ago, and then that I would need you for every step of life in the 11 years that have followed. XO! Hope your weekend is perfect! XO. edc.

Friday Favs: 1.) This awesome badge I designed! We'll all be rocking these on Sunday morning! Cannot wait!!!!     2.) When these two are adorable and get along, and ask if I will take their picture.  3.) The Library. We sure miss the Menomonie Library and Ms. Debbie, but our library is starting to feel more and more like home with each visit. I love this little nook for the kids to read while I'm checking out. Seeing them love books makes my heart melt.        4.) We met up with my dad at Starbucks while running errands in Woodbury this week. This is a Friday fav, because #1. I love that I live close enough to do this, #2. Starbucks always holds a special place in my heart as it has been the meeting place of endless happy memories, and #3. it's special to me that my dad took time out of his busy day for a conversation and a hug. Relationships are only healthy when you make it a point to be healthy, intentionality has been my goa...

Hard not to reflect on my week and think about my Marathon being my favorite part, but since I just wrote an entire post about it, I felt like it couldn't be one of my Friday favs... So here are my other Friday Favorites: 1. Brueggers Bagels Coffee. When we moved to Hudson, Brueggers gave us a card with 90 days of free coffee-- WHAT?! So great. It's been such a great little treat on those days when you want to feel kind of fancy (and have a reason to get out of the house) and get a decaf coffee in the middle of the day :)  2. This little appetizer concoction. It was light and salty/sweet. Triscuit for the base, then a smear of cream cheese, topped with chopped walnuts and grapes, then drizzled with honey. Slightly time consuming, but these little beauties are sure to make your guests happy.  3. Knoke's. Have I talked about this place before?? It's an old fashioned candy/ice cream shop in downtown Hudson, and we are just obsessed with it. We can easily walk o...

This week seemed to creep by, I am in the taper stage for my marathon this weekend, so I feel antsy and somewhat aggitated that I can't log tons of miles in this amazing fall weather. The race is Sunday, so we'll see if it makes my "Friday Favs" next week. 😉 1. Phone calls: I talked to both of these ladies on the phone this week: college friends/roommates who have been there through most every stage of life post college. We live in 3 different states with 6 kids between us, so phone calls and FaceTimes don't happen as much as they used to, but it sure warms my soul when my phone lights up with their picture on it.  2. This space: a drone photo of our MIDCURRENT meeting area. This is a frequent spot I run, so I have been praying for this space a lot. Trusting that God will bring people there and change lives in a big way. 3. These Maple Pecan Bars.... Really easy. And really tasty. We had Sten's Grandma and Aunt and Uncle over yesterday for Fika and th...

Last week I started "things I love". I think I will rename my Friday posts as Friday Favorites, and try to post weekly as an accountability of sorts. I so enjoy this blog as it forces me to think of all the things I am thankful for in my life and the ways I have grown over the last few years. My first blog post was in 2011... yikes! SOOO on to my Friday Favs: 1. Lucy's Birthday! We celebrated with chocolate milk at Starbucks, checking out a new park with Grandma and then lunch with gma and gpa.... we came home and had mac and cheese for dinner (per lucy's request) and cake. We LOVED hearing from friends and family throughout the day and I think Lucy felt special and loved from beginning to end. 2. Last weekend we had our friends Joel and Megan and little Henry over for dinner. It was so fun to catch up. Joel and Sten were college roommates and there is no way you can't fall in love with Megan shortly after meeting her. I LOVE this picture we snapped of Ol...