Future Home of Monkey

Well after countless hours of web surfing and many more hours pining over the bedding set I really really loved, I think I have found bedding that I both love and can afford!!! (sidenote: Who spends 500 dollars on crib bedding, really? Do they not know babies poop and pee all over everything? No matter how cute it is, it just doesn't seem like money well spent!)

My "love at first sight" bedding involved sock monkeys. It was beautiful and gender neutral and not too baby-ish. I loved it. I did not love the price tag and the fact that the crib I was looking into would cost less than the bed set. So I went back to the drawing board, or the google search.

And today, just when I thought I would never find bedding I loved as much as my funky monkeys, I stumbled upon this. And the company that makes it is Banana Fish, which sounds kind of like Funky Monkey to me, right? :)

So I'm going to sleep on it, but I think this is the one. The color palette is perfect. I think the circles are whimsical but not babyish. It offers fun wall color options. It won't break the bank. And I will still be able to work my sock monkeys into wall prints and other decor.

Hey Monkey, if you like it...give me a kick!

Menu Planning Monday

Hold onto your hats! One of my goals for the new year is to do a better job of planning our meals. This will translate into better use of our money at the grocery store, less dining out, and a healthier household in general.

So, here's my plan for this week:

Monday: Roast chicken with stuffing and broccoli
Tuesday: Baked spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread.
Wednesday: taco soup
Thursday: dinner out (I have a late doctors appointment and we have a tradition of going out to eat after my appointments)
Friday: fend for yourself/clean out the fridge night. Because..
Saturday: the first of many meals at DISNEY WORLD!!!

I really want to try some new recipes this year. This week doesn't include any, but in future weeks I'll include the new recipes and a review on my blog.

Hope everyone is enjoying the final hours of Christmas vacation. It's back to the real world tomorrow!

From Bliss to Blessed

This will be my third year choosing a word to focus on rather than making resolutions. I feel like focusing on a word is far less stressful than a list of goals I may or may not meet.

In 2007 my word was FORWARD. I began the year feeling stagnant in many aspects of my life. By the end of 2007 I had grown my photography business to the point of being able to give my notice at the full time job. I found a new doctor who was committed to being more aggressive in diagnosing and treating my infertility. I also sought out and developed new friendships I felt my life was lacking. All of these things moved me forward into a happier place than where I began.

In 2008 my word was BLISS. That's where the title of my blog came from. Last year I set out to follow my dreams. I left my job in television to devote myself to our photography business. I banished white walls from my home. I made time for good friends. I took better care of myself and focussed on better mental and physical health. And while the months of hormones and injections were anything but blissful, our fertility treatments resulted in our little monkey who will make his/her way into the world in 2009.

So here were are in 2009 and my word from the year is BLESSED. So many things will change this year and I know my life will never be the same. With those changes will come new challenges. And if I focus on that part of it, I get a little panicked. Now that I've found my bliss, what exactly do I do with it?? That's why I'm choosing to focus on how I've been blessed. If I can end every day with one blessing in my mind, I think I'll make it through. This year will be about embracing, and being thankful for, those little things. Like the laptop I'm typing on right now, allowing me to write with my feet propped up on the couch. :)

I'm so excited to document 2009. The year I turn 30. The year I become a mom. The year I watch more of my friends welcome babies. So much to be thankful for already!

Dear Santa

I know you won't be stopping by the Homburg household tonight and I'm totally okay with that. I don't need anything under the tree this year. I've waited years for my very special gift, so I'm happy to wait six more months.

Just remember, this time next year there will be one more stocking on our mantle.

Mission Accomplished

Nothing was set on fire, the cookies are all edible, and my kitchen may permanently smell of peppermint.

I think that makes Bake-a-palooza 2008 a rousing success!


I am so thankful for these girls and their friendship. Here's to many more adventures in 2009. I know it's going to be a big year for all of us!

Counting Down

Just about a year ago, December 15th to be exact, Barb and I started an annual tradition. We called it Bake-a-palooza, and it involved eight hours of non stop baking, candy making, and general holiday fun.



Tomorrow, that tradition continues, but this time with the addition of two more of my favorite people. Em and Josie are coming up from Chicago to hang at Chez Homburg. It's been way too long since we've all been together...August to be exact when we gathered in Milwaukee for Josie's birthday.

This time around we've got quite a list of things to do ahead of us. In addition to getting a better photo of all four of us, we've got new recipes to try, old favorites to repeat, and at least one cookie we'll pass on this year after the great flop of 07

(RIP Spritz cookies. We will not make you again. )

More on this year's adventures on Sunday!

SEC Forever

I live in Wisconsin, where it sometimes snows in October, and asking for sweet tea is met with a blank stare. I don't have a Sonic, or a Chick-fil-a, and I cannot buy my groceries at Publix (where shopping is a pleasure).

But no matter how long I live "up north," I will forever be an SEC girl. Nobody does college football like the schools of the South Eastern Conference. (Sorry, Em. I'm sure you disagree). There's just something about the history, the rivalries, the school pride.

As I sit here watching the SEC championship game, cheering on my Florida Gators, I can't help but think back to my Gainesville days. I remember moving into my first apartment in Gainesville on a 100 degree day in June. I remember getting drenched while walking across campus in a summer storm. I remember the first time I walked into The Swamp (the stadium, not to be confused with the bar across the street that bears the same name). I remember wearing sweatshirts and peacoats when the weather turned colder (back when cold was 50 and freezing was 40!). I remember packing my life into a Uhaul just a few days after graduation to begin my life as a tv news producer in Knoxville, TN.

I've never lived among Florida fans since I left Gainesville in May of 2001. I spent my 3 years in Knoxville trash talking with all of my Rocky Top friends. Then I moved to the U.P. of Michigan where they were obsessed with this sport called Hockey. And now I live in Northeast Wisconsin where the majority bleeds green and gold. But I still cheer, watching every Florida football and basketball game I can up here. Karl looks at me funny when I scream at the tv and he laughs when I dance around after a touchdown. He tries to support the Gators, but it's just not the same.

My life as a solo Gator fan ends in 6 months. Monkey has no choice. He will be raised a Gator fan from day one. He will learn to respect the SEC. And someday, I hope he makes his home in Gainesville. Hey, maybe he'll want to play football. :)