Recent Reads: Library Edition

One of my goals this year was to get a library card and I successfully completed that task a couple of months ago. Ever since I have been visiting the library on almost a weekly basis to drop off and pick up more books! Prior to getting this card I am pretty sure the last time I actually checked out a book from a library was around 2002 (give or take a couple of years). Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when I learned about some of the newer "technologies" libraries have to offer these days. My local library allows you to create an online account where you can check out electronic books and then download them onto your e-reader device. I have found so far that almost every book I looked up to check out comes in a digital copy as well. But just because its digital does not mean that you can check it out immediately, there is still a waiting list for more popular books. I generally prefer reading the old fashioned physical copy but for those of you who are more technologically inclined this is a very nice feature. I have also been placing holds online for all my books and then just pop into the library when I get notified that they have been pulled for me. This eliminates the long searches around the bookshelves and allows me to be in and out in just a couple of minutes.Our library also had a large DVD and books on tape section which I haven't explored too much yet, but will in the near future.

Another thing I love about our library is it's location. It is right in the heart of our cities downtown area which makes it extremely convenient to visit before or after we go to dinner, get ice cream, coffee runs, or stop by the farmers market. I have even walked Milton there and just tied him up outside for a brief minute while I went it to check out my books. I cannot believe how much I have enjoyed using the library over the past 2 months and my bank account is very thankful as well!!

I am not the most adventurous reader in terms of genre and tend to stick mostly with fictional "girl" books but if that is what you like too then I have some great recent finds.

The Husband's Secret   ||  Family Pictures   ||  The Secrets of Midwives

All three of these books were light, quick reads that kept me engaged until the very end. I have a couple of more Liane Moriarty books already checked out so hopefully I will enjoy those just as much. Happy Reading folks!!

Soaking Up Fall

Recently a lot has been going down in the Lietzke household. And by a lot clearly I mean mostly activities revolving around football and home improvement projects. Are we predictable or what? Jameson and I have been lucky enough to take a few quick trips back to State College to watch our beloved Nittany Lions play (let's just not talk about the outcome of the games, deal?) We also got to enjoy a game in Ann Arbor with my parents to watch PSU play at the Big House. (another 1001 in 101 goal accomplished!)

Fall is always such a wonderful time of the year and I'm trying to soak up as much of it as I can! We got our first snow flurries this morning so I know it is only a matter of time before winter is here to stay. But never fear my friends, I will be burning my autumn candles all the way until the Christmas tree gets put up (which in my family is never until after Thanksgiving). I think Fall is one of my favorite seasons simply because of it's candles. You can find me burning this Spiced Pumpkin one starting in August and I recently discovered Autumn Harvest Soy Candle (Target Limited Edition) and it sure is scrumptious as well. Nothing makes me want to curl up in a blanket with a good book quite like a pumpkin candle.

Jameson and I have also managed to do a some home improvement projects, including painting a couple of rooms. When first picking out paint for the house we settled on a very light grey figuring it would be the perfect neutral. Well low and behold that light grey turned out to be way too light, almost completely white is some lighting. Like stark hospital wall white. It was no good! We decided on a darker grey color for the kitchen and living room so that the white cabinets, trim, and cove ceiling would pop. We absolutely adore it now! It's amazing what transformation a can of paint can have. All of a sudden these beautiful features are a focal point instead of just blending in with the walls. Both Jameson and I agree that these rooms finally feel finished (or as finished as they can be considering I change my mind on decor about every 8 days).

The same weekend we tackled painting our bonus room upstairs. For the first 6 month of us living here it was simply a glorified storage room/walkway to the master bedroom. This room is open to the stairs so it cannot be completely closed off, but it definitely still provides enough practical and useful space. We splashed on same paint, moved some furniture and before you know it we have a brand new office room. This little area has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the house.

Milton wanted to be a part of the pictures

I was also super excited because I could finally showcase this beautiful print from BW Prints.We met Bobbi and her husband in our young marrieds small group at our church and she is such a talented artist and designer! Go check out her website and Etsy shop, you won't be disappointed!

101 in 1001 Update

Back in March I created a list of 101 things I wanted to complete in 1001 days. I have gotten to check quite a few off the list so I thought I would highlight some of them today!

19. Go to a Tigers baseball game
I have been an overachiever and gone to 2 this summer! The first time with my parents when they visited at the beginning of July, and another time during Steph and Scott's visit in August. Their trip may or may not have corresponded with when their beloved Pittsburgh Pirates were in town. Coincidence? I think not.

Mom and Dad on the famous Woodward Ave before the game

Tigers vs. Pirates --- A House Divided

29. Celebrate our one year wedding anniversary
On June 29, 2014 Jameson and I celebrated 365 days of marriage!! Friday night (otherwise known as the one year anniversary to our rehearsal dinner) we had some fine dining within the comforts of our own home. My husband - the grill master - made us D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S steaks that were seriously the yummiest thing I have ever had. We completed the meal with au gratin potatoes, asparagus, and of course our wedding cake! Jameson and I both missed out on eating much of the cake during our actual reception - we only had small bites during the cake cutting - so we were looking forward to chowing down on this. And I am happy to announce the cake was just as delicious as I remember it being. We ate way more of that cake than 2 people should. On our actual anniversary we celebrated downtown at Coach Insignia. The food was delicious but the view was definitely the best part! We had 365 degree views of downtown Detroit, the Detroit river, and Windsor, Canada.

45. Take Milton to the dog park
We have recently discovered the Oakland county park system and quickly have found Milton's new favorite place to run around. The Orion Oaks dog park is HUGE! Complete with grassy fields, walking trails, and a doggie dock. Milton loves running off the dock and jumping full speed into the water - usually with his eye on a tennis ball. He is a retriever through and through and could spend a whole day swimming in the lake. We don't mind though because a tired pup is a happy pup.

53. Host a non family member visitor in our home
In May, Erinn and Tyler came for a quick visit in between stops in Chicago and her grandparents house in Michigan. It was so good to see them both considering they spent the prior 6 months traveling all around the Pacific. We has such a good time catching up on life and can't for them to both be in Chicago! I foresee many weekend trips to the Windy City in our future.

The future Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell in Michigan

Erinn loves her a Lietzke sandwich

Clearly Milton doesn't like sharing his frisbee

61. See Lady Antebellum in concert
Jameson surprised me with a last minute date night to see Lady A at DTE and it was such a fun night with my hubby. Joe Nicols and Billy Currington were the opening acts and they did not disappoint. And of course Lady A was even better than I could have imagined!! We had such a fun night spending time together and soaking up the last bit of summer.

101 in 1001

Live with intention. Unfortunately this is something I haven't always been good at. I so easily slip into the routine of everyday life and forget to celebrate the little things. So I decided that I want to make some goals for myself to complete over the next few years in order to encourage intentional living. I saw this idea on some other blogs and I was inspired to create my own 101 things to complete in 1001 days. Some of these goals are realistic while others are more of a stretch. But at the end of this journey I hope to have gone outside my comfort zone and be proud of the accomplishments I have made. Hopefully I'll have made memories I can cherish for a long time to come. So without further adieu here they are, all 101 of them!

Start Date: March 18, 2014
End Date: December 13, 2016

1. Come up with 101 goals
2. Run a 5k in downtown Detroit
3. Redo a piece of old furniture
4. Visit 3 states I haven't been to before
5. Buy a house
6. Plant a herb garden
7. Buy fireworks and set them off on the 4th of July
8. Go to a class at a yoga studio
9. Help Jameson on a woodworking project
10. Host a dinner party
11. Send 5 just because notes in the mail
12. Plan a surprise party
13. Go to the Detroit Zoo
14. Spend a day volunteering
15. Make applesauce and jar it to enjoy throughout the year
16. Spend a day completely unplugged from technology
17. Volunteer in the nursery at church
18. Take a cooking class
19. Go to a Tigers Baseball game
20. Plan a Michigan staycation
21. Go to the Grand Ole Opry with Jameson
22. Make artwork to hang on the walls of our home
23. Meet Penn State Football coach James Franklin
24. Make homemade bread
25. Go to a wine tasting
26. Get a library card
27. Go skiing
28. Visit a friend who lives in a different city
29. Celebrate our one year wedding anniversary
30. Visit Canada
31. Workout 3 times a week for 4 weeks in a row
32. Attend the Kentucky Derby
33. Cook a recipe out of every cookbook I own
34. Host a holiday in our home
35. Complete a sewing project
36. Go a month without spending any money at Target
37. Organize our master closet (and keep it that way!)
38. Make a gift for someone else
39. Grow a vegetable garden
40. Read 12 books just for fun
41. Make marinara sauce from scratch
42. Celebrate our second wedding anniversary
43. Help someone accomplish one of their goals
44. Own a monogram piece of jewelry
45. Take Milton to a dog park
46. Plan an unexpected date night
47. Support a local business
48. Go on a picnic
49. Enjoy a spa day with my mom and sister
50. Go to a show at a comedy club
51. Start and completely fill up a prayer journal
52. Visit my sister and her hubby in Nashville
53. Host a non family member visitor in our home
54. Photograph an iconic Detroit landmark
55. Send out annual Christmas cards
56. Go on a mission trip with Jameson
57. Establish a family tradition
58. Get back into lap swimming
59. Try a beet juice
60. Complete a Bible Study from start to finish
61. See Lady Antebellum in concert
62. Adopt a rescue dog
63. Save $20 with coupons on 1 grocery shopping trip
64. Take an afternoon bike ride around the town
65. Make our wedding photo album
66. Host friends for a summer BBQ
67. Make homemade Larabars
68. Donate to a charity we are passionate about
69. Workout with a friend
70. Give a unique wedding gift to a friend
71. Purchase something from a flea market
72. Attend a Penn State vs. Michigan football game in Ann Arbor
73. Successfully complete a Pinterest project
74. Take Milton on a hike
75. Create a handmade lighting fixture
76. Celebrate Jameson's 25th Birthday
77. Celebrate my 25th Birthday
78. Try a new hairstyle
79. Help someone during a time of need
80. Be able to do 10 REAL pushups in a row
81. Try 5 new restaurants around Detroit
82. Become an aunt
82. Soak up some sun at a resort in Mexico
83. Go to a movie on opening night
84. Complete a 1 minute plank
85. Sell old textbooks from college
86. Go on a girls weekend trip
87. Complete a crossfit workout
88. Go on a Saturday morning coffee date at a new coffee shop
89. Inspire someone else to make a list of their own
90. Complete a 500 piece puzzle
91. Read every book of the Bible
92. Make monthly goals and hold myself accountable for them
93. Attend a musical
94. Find community in a small group at church
95. Have an anniversary photo shoot
96. Learn how to edit my photos
97. Attend a bonfire and roast marshmellows
98. Cook Jameson his favorite meal (including dessert!)
99. Go to Eastern Market
100. Pray daily for my husband and family
101. Complete everything on this list!

Linking up today with the girls at Tuesday Tea