Zip Lining in Costa Rica

I did it.  I survived zip lining in Costa Rica.  I originally thought it was Nate’s way of cashing in on my life insurance policy.  Not so lucky this time dear husband.

Let me start with the fact that I am a very cautious person and I’m also afraid of heights.  Two steps on a step ladder and I start to get all nervous.  So how’s about I go flying through the jungle on some death trap?  Yeah, how’s about no.

I posted on my personal facebook page that I was certain Nate was trying to end my life and make it look like an accident.  My dear friends kindly informed me that I can’t go to Costa Rica and not zip line.  What did I gather from this?  That my friends wanted me dead too. 

Somehow Nate convinced me I would survive.  Also the brochure that included a kid in a wheelchair zip lining helped seal the deal.

We took a 15 minute bus ride to the zip lining place of death (The Congo Trail Canopy Tour).  The guides get you set up in your gear…a helmet, stinky gloves and a harness apparatus that gives you a giant wedgie.

(Please ignore the look of fear in my eyes.  The fear was from dying and being groped by a Costa Rican man.)

Helmets on and we’re ready to go…

Wait.  Are we?

I change my mind.  Oh, too late now? Fine.  Whatever.

Holy crap. I really change my mind now.  Nate assures me I’ll be fine.  I made him promise me that he’d show this picture to his next wife.

I made it to the first death release point.  I was really close to chickening out.  The guide hooked me up and set me free.  **Be sure to notice my huge biceps.**

And you know what?  It was a ton of fun.  I loved it.  The tour had 11 lines.  That first leap was awful but then it turned into complete awesomeness.

After the first few lines, I decided that maybe Nate just wanted to have fun in Costa Rica.  I kept a close eye on him though…and made him take a bunch of touristy pictures with me.

More proof that we did, in fact, go zip lining.  I really was having fun.  I was just concentrating on not running into a tree.

The views throughout the tour were gorgeous. The mist of water along the upward trail was awesome too.  All parks should have those.

If you get the chance to zip line, you must do it. This is coming from a he-giant chicken girl.  I will go again in a heart beat.  If I can survive it, you totally can!

Have you been zip lining?  Any desire to go or are you a big chicken?  Bock bock.

Pura Vida

Hola, blog amigos!  I am back from Costa Rica.  Unfortunately.  Work is going to be insanely difficult today.  I will keep repeating to myself, “Grown-ups have jobs. Grown-ups go to work.”

Nate and I loved Costa Rica. We both recommend it as a travel destination. This week is “Costa Rica Week” on the blog where we’ll share all of our favorites with you.  Let the torture begin!

We stayed at the Riu Guanacaste.  The resort is located in a rural area of the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica.  It is the perfect location for a relaxing, secluded getaway!

The remote location does make it harder to explore more of Costa Rica.  Many of the excursions were 8-12 hour+ trips.  We did go on two excursions near the hotel. The rest of our time was spent as lazy beach bums.  Muy bueno.

We would start our day off by sleeping in and then heading to breakfast.  We would then go for a nice run on the beach.

Nate’s form is weak.

Okay, the running thing is a lie.  We would take a nice, slow stroll along the beach.  Slow because Costa Rica is HOT.  Must have something to do with that whole being near the equator thing.  I loved the warmth…when near a nice cool body of water…and fruity drink…which is how we spent the remainder of our day. 

The beach near the hotel is beautiful.  The sand is black sand.  Pretty but feet scorching. Nate and I are nature people so we liked that the beach was surrounded by mountains.  Costa Rica is transitioning from the dry season to the wet season.  It only rained one evening while we were there.

Let’s let the pictures do the talking. I’m slowly working my way back into this blogging thing.  I forgot how to write complete sentences.  Not that I was awesome at that a week ago. Focus.  Insert pretty photos.

I impressed Nate with my Spanish speaking skills.  He’s pretty sure I’m almost fluent.  Like this sign at the end of the resort, it says “Beware of Crocodiles”.  I saved his life on this one.  He was totally ungrateful for my translating skills.

He was also impressed with my newly acquired modeling skills.  The things he missed during tax season.  (And yes, I am incapable of taking a normal picture.)

Nate’s modeling is weak.  The “What the fudge?” expression was so 2011.  So is that dirty, cut-off race shirt.  Just saying.

The sunsets at the resort were also pretty impressive…the shots we could get before we were carried off by mosquitoes.

The rest of the week I’ll share with you our thoughts on the resort, photos from zip lining, and photos from our jungle river cruise.  There are photos of me and wild monkeys!  And not just this monkey…

Is it too early to go back? 

Today's Guest: Two Twenty One

Our final guest for the week is Chelsea from Two Twenty One.  Chelsea will be sharing with you her ever changing (yet always stylish) entry table and her energetic furry love, Jack.

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Hey, Decor and the Dog readers!  I'm Chelsea from Two Twenty One, where I blog about  DIY projects, baking, and other random happenings.  You should probably also know that I have a husband and a dog. 

Today I'm sharing my entryway table and its ever-evolvingness.  This space is basically my substitute for a fireplace mantel.  I use a lot of stuff that I already have to come up with my various vignettes. Here's what it looks like right now.  Actually, it's looked like this since before St. Patrick's Day.  And it could look like this until Halloween.  It's a shame that I don't decorate for Flag Day or Independence Day.

This was my Valentine's Day vignette.  I'm mildly obsessed with hobnail milk glass.  My husband refers to it as bumpy stuff.  Only he doesn't use the word "stuff".  He's just jealous of my mad thrifting skills. 
 

Here's last year's Christmas display.  I decorated around the ceramic Christmas tree that I've had since childhood. 
 

Next up is the spooky Halloween vignette.  The feather boa was a party favor from my friend's bachelorette party.  I knew it would come in handy again.
 

Now that I got some decor out of the way let's move onto the dog.  My dog.  His name is Jack.  He's 4, but every stranger he comes across thinks he's a puppy.  It's partly because of his baby face and partly because he's a ball of energy around people.  Which is why I think Ike and Jack would get along swimmingly.  Like Ebony and Ivory, in perfect harmony. 
 

Jack loves to snuggle in blankets and look pitifully cute. 
 

He also loves his big orange tennis ball.  Tell him to bring you his ball, and he'll search the house until he finds it.  His lone white whisker is his attempt to appear more mature. 
 

 

Sometimes I'll catch him pondering deeply... about when his next meal or walk is coming.

Well there you have it!  I hope you enjoyed some of my decor and my dog.   Thanks, Michelle, for having me stop by while you and Nate sip fancy umbrella drinks and zipline in Costa Rica!

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Be sure to head on over to Two Twenty One and say "hi" to Chelsea and Jack!

Thanks to all of my lovely guests for the week!  I'll be back on Monday with a Costa Rica/umbrella drink sipping update!!

Today's Guest: The Self Life

Today I would like to welcome Elisa from The Self Life.  Elisa will be sharing her fun office and her adorable furry kids (Olive, June, and Lily).  Yes, Ike let a cat on the blog today.  He's on vacation.  He doesn't care.

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Ahh the office. So functional, so lovely. So orange. Originally the office looked like this. (Whomp whomp.)
 
But now, it looks like this!


And yep, many people ask, and I swear my mood raises a point or two every time I walk in. Because you guys. Orange makes you HAPPY. Psychiatrists say so! But there are a ton of reasons why I love this room. Although I helped, Ryan essentially built me this desk. He planned it out, bought materials, and executed it. Hello, husband with power tool.


There are lots of tangible things in this room that I love. The pullout couch, my I-promise-I'll-paint-it-canvas, the crazy deal I got on the West Elm curtains.


But I really love it because there are these particular creatures that fill up the room... The second I get comfortable in the office I hear the padding of feet and turn around to this.


Met our Brittany, Olive (namesake Olive Oyl - forever a damsel in distress although sweet as punch),


Our 'Petite Lady Hound' June (named after June Carter Cash, a lovely woman),


And lastly but certainly not least-ly, Lily Bear. (No namesake, just cuteness.)


To say they keep this house alive is quite the understatement. Quite. Because if I decide to sit on the ol' couch, this happens 97% of the time.


Although sometimes they keep themselves entertained.


Other times they do not.


But anyone with a four-legged roommate knows I'd have it no other way. I love my girls, and I love the house that we all share. Corniest Person of All Time, Elisa

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Be sure to head on over to The Self Life and say "hi" to Elisa, Olive, June, and Lily!

Today's Guest: Primitive and Proper

Today's guest is Cassie from Primitive and Proper. Cassie will be sharing her kitchen dreams and  her furry loves, Jake and Charlie.

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Hello Decor and the Dog lovers!  I am Cassie from Primitive and Proper.  I am so excited to be here as a guest for Michelle. I love her style, her sense of humor, and her adorable self.  I am honored she asked me to be a guest.  Like Michelle, I  happen to be a dog owner as well.  We have two dogs, Charlie, a just about to turn 12 year old beagle, and Jake, an 8 year old bagle (basset/beagle mix).  Here they are looking all sweet and innocent.  And pardon the mess; that is our master bedroom which has not yet been worked on since we moved here in October.

We love our dogs, even when they pee on beloved rugs, because that means we get to get even more awesome rugs, like this.


So instead of stuffing and mounting Charlie for peeing on our gray zebra rug, I have been giving him treats because I like the new one better.  Yes, he's a good dog. ;)

Anyhow, we have been in this house for 6 months now, and I have been cruising along with house projects.  Basically, if something can be made better with paint, well than I can do it!  When it comes to our kitchen though, paint just isn't gonna cut it. Here are a couple pictures of its mustard 1979 atrociousness taken move in day.  So here is is ugly AND messy.



Oh yeah... the pictures are dark, I know, but trust me you are thanking me.  You do not want to be blinded by the mustard yellow formica countertops AND matching backsplash.  Pretty sweet, huh?  Oh, and those fabulous puppy-chewed stools even came free with the house!  Bonus.  I will take those stools over closing help any day.

This kitchen can not be helped merely by paint.  So it will wait hopefully only another year until we can have someone install new floors for us as well as countertops.  But that gives me plenty of time to think about what we shall do.  Here are my plans as of now, subject to change on a daily basis.

First of all, the cabinets will remain and I will paint those.  We will however remove the cabinet above the fridge so that we can finally get a new refrigerator.  This refrigerator is tiny, so we want a newer larger one.  The previous owners did at least leave us with relatively new stainless dishwasher and oven, so we will go stainless on the fridge, too.   For the cabinets, I am thinking something like this....

Via

or this...

Via

I want to paint the walls white, so I think this color on the cabinets would be soft and pretty and add some color. I also really like the nickel hardware with this color.

For flooring, we have already decided on slate for a couple of reasons.  We like the rustic and natural look, and it is rather affordable.  here are a couple of inspiration images...

Via

If we can somehow manage to get the herringbone pattern with slate tile, I might make out with the new flooring.

Via

Moving on to countertops, we had thought about doing the butcher block IKEA countertops, but we have a corner sink and cabinet that will not work as it runs on a diagonal.   We know we want toe butcher block look to add warmth and stay with the more rustic style.  I just love what Elizabeth at the Mustard Ceiling did using doors.  And I think there is a chance that perhaps we could DIY it.

We will definitely be removing the formica peninsula and chewed barstools.  So if you are local to MD and want them, let me know! ;)  I plan to add a breakfast nook.  I would love to build a banquette with a storage bench, but I need to convince my husband that it is the way to go.  Or just do it when he is not home.   That's how I roll.  Surprise honey, I painted out master bedroom neon pink!  But ok seriously, how awesome are these banquettes...

Via

I really love this one with the shelving above it...

Via

Or something like this could work, too.   And maybe my kids would look so happy all the time if we had this in our kitchen.

Via

Whatever option we end up going with, I plan to bring in an accent color for chairs.  I recently painted some chairs for my dining room in coral and I love how it pairs with the grays and aquas.  So I am thinking something along the lines of my dining chairs for color since the two rooms adjoin each other. here is a glimpse of the dining room...

But for the kitchen chairs I want something a little less formal... bentwood chairs would be perfect!

Via

Maybe I would even do a colorful mix!  I love that setup.  

Of course, we will also get new lighting when the time comes, as the boob light above the eating nook isn't quite cutting it.  So some sort of awesome pendant or chandy will replace it.  But for now, my head is already spinning with everything on the to do list! :)  I hope you enjoyed a peek into my head.  You got to see the good stuff; there are other parts that are a little scary. 

Michelle, thank you so much for having me today!  I hope you will stop by Primitive and Proper and say hi!

***

Be sure to head on over to Primitive and Proper and say "hi" to Cassie, Jake, and Charlie!

Today's Guest: Plain & Fancy Living

Happy Monday!

This week is full of guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers.  My guests will be sharing some of their favorite decor and their favorite furry friends!

Amy from Plain and Fancy Living is going to introduce you to her beautifully fancy kitchen and her handsome furry friend, Bode.

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Hi, Decor and the Dog readers! I am so happy to be guest posting for Michelle while she is enjoying her vacation. She asked me to choose a favorite space in my home and I really love my kitchen, especially the buffet area.

I am so glad that I made sure to have a designated area for food and drink when I was designing the kitchen. I am constantly using the buffet. I place colored or patterned paper in the upper cabinet to change the look and decorate for holidays. I often change the framed print for a different look.

This built-in buffet is located right behind our dining room wall so it is in a perfect spot for dinners being served in the breakfast nook or dining room. I use the counter space as a bar when we are not using it as a food buffet.

I love the glass cabinet doors and the glass knobs.

I carried the details of glass to the drawer hardware.

Details: double crown molding and white subway tile

We have four dogs in our family. We do not have favorites, we love them all equally. Our boy, Bode, is truly a gentle giant. He weighs 100 lbs. and he is pure joy. He is so sweet and so loving. We are blessed to have this fella in our lives. We adopted him through Golden Retriever Rescue & Adoption of Needy Dogs, GRRAND.

He is a sweet boy. We love him so much and I am so thankful that the rescue group found him and took such good care of him before we found each other.

Thank you so much for having me! 

xo, Amy

***

Be sure to head on over to Plain and Fancy Living and say "hi" to Amy and Bode!

Adios Blog Amigos

Nate and I are making our way to Costa Rica.  We’re pumped to spend some time in the sun, do a little zip lining, pet monkeys/get rabies and live the pura vida for a week.  Most importantly, we will be enjoying 10 whole days away from work.

The resort we are staying at has no cell coverage and slow internet (only in the lobby).  We’re both actually looking forward to an entire week of being unplugged.  Okay, I’m sure I’ll go through withdraws initially but I will eventually enjoy it.  At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I always get pre-vacation jitters. What am I forgetting to pack?  What if I get sick?  What if the plane crashes?  What am I forgetting to pack?  I hope I don’t barf on the plane.  I’m going to miss my bed.  Let’s just stay home. 

I’m not neurotic.  Why do you ask?

We are also going to miss this little dude something fierce.

He’s vacationing with his grandparents.  Which is basically like Costa Rica for dogs.  I mean unlimited dog treats is pretty much the same unlimited drinks, right?

I have some lady ladies holding down the blog fort next week.   They will be sharing some of their favorite décor and the their dogs.  Clever, aren’t I?  I hope you enjoy their posts and I’ll blog you all in a week!

Tell me all about your favorite vacation.  I have lots of travel time to read comments today! 

Walking With Ike

Now that tax season is over, we’re back to walking an hour every night.  Ike is loving it.

Walking with Ike is interesting.  We have met lots of people in town because of his fuzzy face.

Kids love Ike.  A little girl that just moved into the neighborhood came running out of her house to give Ike a giant dog treat.  He, of course, now loves this little girl.  Kids always want to pet him.  I don’t think I accurately portray Ike on this blog.  The dog is nuts.  We are cautious with him and kids only because he gets so excited.

What else do we hear while walking Ike?

“Well, helloooo.” ~random old ladies last night.  (He’s a total ladies man.)

“I like your puppy.” or “Hi, pretty puppy.” ~small children  (These melt my heart.)

“What kind of dog is that?”

“He’s so pretty/happy/beautiful/fuzzy.”

He also prances after compliments.  He’s a special dog.

Our town is full of little parks that lead into one another.  It’s quaint.  And quiet.  And perfect for walking.  I love small town Iowa.

Ike loves small town Iowa too. 

Any fellow walkers out there?  Does your dog behave on walks? Ike is surprisingly awesome on walks.  Can you enjoy a nice introverted walk or does your dog force you to be social?

Little Travel Totes

What did I learn this week-end?  I learned that my sewing machine likes to see me cry.  That’s what I learned.

I did eventually manage to sew myself some darling little travel cases.

Aren’t they cute?  I sewed them using a pattern from Say Yes to Hoboken.  I had some issues following the instructions but I also have this amazing skill of making every sewing pattern 20 times harder than it needs to be. The fabric is really cute though.  I have had the Amy Butler fabrics since forever.  They make me happy.

I always like to see what products people use.  I’m that girl that will search through your medicine cabinet.  Yep, that’s me.  So now I will take my turn at sharing.

First is the baby tote.  This one will be placed in my purse.  It will hold my precious Stila lip gloss. I thought I lost the strawberry one this week. I almost cried. And then I found it. And then I cried happy tears. I also have some Burt’s Bees chap stick sans wrapper, a Tide pen, and a bottle of mixed medicines in an Ibuprofen bottle.  I’m a pharmacist. I know what they all look like.  Plus the Tums coat the Ibuprofen and make it easier on your stomach.  Trust me. I’m a doctor.

The medium size bag is for the ol’ make-up.  I’m a big bare Minerals fan.  It’s the only make-up I can wear without my face freaking out.  I use only the fanciest eye shadows.  I also love my Organic wear mascara.

The largest bag will hold all of my odds and ends stuff. As you can tell, I’m pretty high maintenance.  The face gets some CeraVe lotion, Monistat Chaffing Relief Powder Gel, Bare Minerals face sunscreen, and some Avalon C anti-old lady eyes.  The boy hair is currently digging Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.  The Vaseline is to help prevent my inch long mole removal incision from scarring.  I’ve been applying it about 6 times a day.  The dermatologist asked what I was doing because they hadn’t seen an incision look as good as mine.  Pharmacist for the win.  (P.S. Wear sunscreen!) Of course there is deodorant and lip balm.

That’s it.  My life in three bags.  Now I just need to figure out what else I need to pack for Costa Rica.

What’s one product you can’t live without?  Ooo, I need beach read recommendations.  I would prefer funny/romance/light reads.  I don’t like to tax the brain on vacation. Or make it sad.

Mostaccioli Casserole Recipe

Be prepared to be amazed by my food photography….

Nate’s mom was kind enough to feed me about once a week during tax season.  I think she was secretly working with my mom.  They both worry about my lack of cooking skills.

Nate’s mom made this fantastic casserole last week.  It was so fantastic that I had to make it for Nate on Saturday night.  Well, he actually ended up making it…but I gave him the recipe.  Awesome Wife of the Year award, right here!

Mostaccioli Casserole (modified from Taste of Home)

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 ounces) mostaccioli
• 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1-1/4 cups chopped green pepper (I skipped this because it’s a vegetable.)
• 1 cup chopped onion (We don’t chop onions.  We use onion powder.)
• 1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted  (mmm, secret ingredient)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

Directions

• Cook mostaccioli according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, soup, Italian seasoning and pepper.
• Drain mostaccioli. Add mostaccioli and 1-1/2 cups cheese to beef mixture. Transfer to two greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
• To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

How sweet is that?  A casserole to eat and a casserole to freeze.  Bonus!!  Write that one on the pantry doors!

Mmmmm, casserole.


Any favorite casserole recipes you would like to share?  Feel free to e-mail them or leave them in the comments!