erica danielle

I like Thursdays. Our home is quiet except for the sound of passing traffic outside. Sten is in Batavia playing guitar and planning the Sunday service. I can turn on whatever music I like - tonight it was my newest mistletoe mix on Spotify. I can clean until my hearts content. put away laundry that has been in the basket since Sunday eve, and layout my clothes for the next day. I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want. I can sit in bed and do my devotions. I can light all the candles I can find with a million scents permeating the living room. I can blog and re-blog. I can work out for an hour and half. I can take extra time on my hair and even paint my nails. Sometimes you just need time alone- to re-fresh and rejuvenate. Although, I can't wait until tomorrow when Sten and I head across the street to Tre Kronor for dinner. This will be the ultimate treat on a Friday night date night. Sometimes conversations are sweeter when you spend a day apart. cheers! e

This lady is having a baby! Thats right. My sis is expecting in May!!!! I couldn't be more excited. I suspected it right away, but I am pretty sure I had a smile plastered across my face for a solid week, then, when she texted to tell me they heard the heart beat I instantly had tears in my eyes. She is going to be the best mama. This kid is so stinking lucky to have Mike and Jess as mom and dad. and even more lucky to have Sten and Erica as Aunt and Uncle ;) So anyway. I have been researching nurseries. There are some VERY creative people out there having babies! Gender nuetral and simply charming. I found this on Etsy. I would love to re-create this on my own with the right colors for over the changing table. so elegant. Love this rug. I could go on for ever. But I've got some good idea's to go get us thinking. Can't wait to meet the little bundle of joy. Congratualtions Jessica and Mike. I love you SO very much! xoxo. aunt...

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. I am getting ready for the slow season of work by putting in extra hours and gearing up for the best holiday- Thanksgiving! I can't believe it was over a week ago already that Darby was visiting from CO! Such a lucky girl I am to have a friend like her in my life. She loves Jesus with her whole being and it shows through the way she cares so much about the people in her life... umm, not to mention her heart of gold. We covered a lot of ground on Saturday while she was here. The best part was our chat in Millenium Park. It was the perfect Fall Chicago day and we took full advantage- then hit the streets and shopped 'till we dropped. Then came home and made Spinach Lasagna. Photo credit: Darby Brown . Recipe credit: Adventurous Christians Camp up in the BWCA (Boundry Water Canoe Area). This ia a meatless dish and is perfect for a cozy night in with friends. ENJOY! Love her. Spinach lasagna with Darby and Sten. Nothin better. pho...

It's Novemeber and I never made a list of things I want to do this month! Here it goes: Enjoy Chicago with Darby. Eat great food, shop downtown and have great conversations. Make Apple Butter in my crock pot Make Friends-giving very memorable. Start on my Christmas cards so that they actually get in the mail and delivered in time for Christmas. Bake a pumpkin roll. Go home to Minnesota! Celebrate 3 years of marriage to the man who makes my heart beat. Listen to J. Biebs "Mistletoe" on repeat until I learn the whole song by heart. Find a fun new restaurant Take the stairs every chance I get.  Continue the challenge with my mom to eat NO sweets until t-giving. Eat lots of turkey and be thankful for allllll of the wonderful blessings in my life. November is my favorite Month. It really is. There is so much anticipation building for Christmas, but nestled in the calendar is this little Thursday full of family, laughter, thankfulness and a grand meal. I am rea...

This was the only picture we snapped in Mary Poppins before we were told no photography was permitted Monks Tavern before the show. Cool place. peanuts at your table! Mary Poppins was a good show! We were both very tired and I think will admit that maybe each closed our eyes through a scene or two... Friday nights are rough!  In other news: I tried a new breakfast recipe that I stole from Kate... it's easy and delicious! This is a Laurel Print trick.... add cottage cheese to your scrambled eggs to make them WAY more fluffy. Starting to layer: spinach, potatoes scrambled eggs and cheese. All wrapped up.. brushed a little melted butter on the top and seasoned with s and p. Golden brown and hot! Surprisingly everything stayed inside perfectly. Brunch. Isn't breakfast the best meal of the day? I just love it. Pipping hot coffee, eggs, fruit, pancakes, bacon, sausage, french toast, muffins, biscotti... I could go on. Here's this re...

I ADORE this kitchen. Here are my reasons why: The Kitchenaid is the only thing on the counter I can just picture my friends and family conversing around the island. Telling stories and eating dips and drinking wine. There are multiple shelving units for Cookbooks and magazines and an ipod dock. The nook in the corner with the cake sign above it screams -- "drink your morning coffee here while you plan out your weekend and reflect on your life" Because of the neutral color pallet, you could easily dress this up for any holiday - Christmas time? add a few red and green spectacles. Birthday? Hang a giant banner. Thanksgiving? pumpkin city. With that much counter space I could make dinner and dessert at the same time. The lighting is spectacular, especially for making a detailed Birthday cake. I would be able to hear the sounds of my future children playing in the toy room next door I spot a dishwasher over by the sink. No more hand washing EVERY. SINGLE. DISH. ...

Pretty excited about tonight... Sten and I are going to Mary Poppins at the Cadillac Palace Theater downtown. Can't wait! I love going to the Theater! I think this is one of those things I will remember forever.