Hi Friends–

I just wanted to let all of you know that I’m going to step away from SoVeryVicki for a bit. 

I’d like to say a big ‘ole thank you to all of you who have stopped by, read my words, laughed at my goofy stories and left a little comment or two for me over the past year and a half.  I am continuously amazed that friends, family and even perfect strangers(!) were interested in what I had to say.  The blog world is an amazing place.

Sending you big hugs and kisses and days filled with JOY.

XO,

Vicki

Hi Friends!

Gosh!  Wasn’t the Royal Wedding spectacular?  Did you set your alarm and get up at the crack of dawn to watch it all live or did you just watch hours and hours of re-broadcasts like I did?  I couldn’t seem to get enough of seeing all the majesty.  Somewhere along the way I caught a bit of the Royal Wedding fever.  It was hard not to, wasn’t it?

That Kate is stunning, isn’t she?  I  thought her dress was gorgeous–elegant and timeless.

She couldn’t have been any lovlier!  She certainly looked like one very happy bride, didn’t she? 

I think the whole world is a little bit in love with these two.  

I wish them all of life’s very best as they begin their new life together!

XO,

Vicki

PS  How ’bout some of those hats???!???  Wowzer! 

Not sure I could pull off any of those beauties, myself.  : )

All pictures found (here)

Hi Friends!

Remember a few years back when The Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood book was all the rage?  I remember reading it for my book club down in Texas.  The state of Texas is full of larger-than-life-characters like those portrayed in Divine Secrets.  Needless-to-say, my book club adored it.  What I remember most about the book was loving the life-long friendship between the ladies– I loved the ”secret club” that they were a part of.   I also loved that the ladies included their kiddos in the club too.  The kids were called “Petite YaYas.”

The summer of The Divine Secrets, we visited my parents in Illinois.  I was explaining the book to my mom and telling her how much the YaYas reminded me of my mom’s club, “The Minks.”  My Mom has been part of the Minks since high school and the same group of ladies has gotten together several times a year, every year, since they graduated  in 1959.  The Minks ladies came to my bridal and baby showers and attended my wedding.  They helped out when my mom was in the hospital and filled a table at my parent’s 50 Anniversary party.  I remember telling my mom how I wished I had a group like that, too.  My girlie-girls took this all in and told me they could be my group.  Next thing I know we were fashioning crowns (the YaYa’s had crowns, of course!) out of colorful pipe cleaners and fluffy feathers.

Of course, we had to make fancy necklaces and wands, too. : )

The girls decided Jack should be a “Baby YaYa” :

He didn’t seem too excited about that idea, though. : )

I love this memory for so many reasons.   I love that they wanted to start their own secret club.  I love the pictures of the kids wearing the feathered crowns.  I love that we captured the happiness of that day.

One of my biggest wishes is that my girls will always want to be a part of a “secret club” with me.  So far, so good.  It’s been about 8 years since these pictures were taken and they still like hanging out with me (although we don’t wear feathered crowns together anymore).  Emily still wants me to be her swim coach and Maddie still wants me to hang out with her at the mall.  I genuinely enjoy spending time with them.  They are such great kids.

 I am blessed, for sure.

XO,

Vicki

Hi Friends!

This past weekend was the first time I’ve seen Christy since the big engagement.  I couldn’t wait to congratulate  Michael and check out that extraordinary ring!  I decided I wanted to give them an engagement photo session as a gift.  I attached a little note to a cute little vintage camera and gave it to them to open.  Can I just tell you how excited I am about this gift?!?  I’m picturing costume and venue changes and all sorts of fun poses.  I can’t wait!   I hope Kate doesn’t mind if I do a bit of stage directing.  : )   Good thing Christy and Michael are good sports, because I have lots of ideas!

Have you seen any cool engagement pictures lately?  I’d love to hear any/all ideas you might have!

XO,

Vicki

Hi Friends–

Before I pack away the kiddos Easter baskets for another year, I thought it might be fun to give you a peek at what was inside.  Even though my kids are 14 1/2, 13 and 9 1/2, they still love hunting for their Easter baskets.  For the past two years, we’ve been down and Tom and Tommy’s on Easter morning so my brother has hid their baskets for us.  It is so much fun watching my (fairly grown) children run around the house trying to find their baskets.  They get so adorably distressed when they can’t find them–it’s hilarious!  I told Tom to hide them “extra hard” this year, and he did a great job. 

This year I put a lot of thought into what I wanted to put in their baskets.  Gone are the years of Barbies and sidewalk chalk and bubbles.

This year they each got one gift that was the same, a print I found in Jessica Swift’s shop on Etsy.  I fell in love with its simple message and knew each of my kids needed one for their room.

Jessica was a pleasure to work with. I asked her if she could print the design in three different colors to match their rooms.

Jessica sent me one in orange, one in blue and one in purple.  I loved them and so did the kids!

I hope that simple message is the first thing they see each and every morning.

XO,

Vicki

Hi Friends!

It’s downright dreary today in Wisconsin–steady, hard rain and super-windy.  Yuck.

But yesterday!

Yesterday was beautiful and sunny.

The kind of day that makes me oh so happy to be alive.

I opened up all the windows and let the fresh air run through the house.   I loved it!

In the afternoon, Emily asked me if I wanted to sit out on the deck with her and read books together.

So I gathered up my book and a cold drink and joined her in the adirondack chairs.

We stretched out, pulled up our pants legs and soaked up some sunshine.

Bliss.

After about 5 minutes, I glanced over and noticed goosebumps on Emily’s arms.

Two minutes later, she went in to grab a sweatshirt.

The next time I looked up, she was sliding her hood up over her head.

About 10 minutes into it, I was pretty chilled myself.

I went in, grabbed a snuggly Illini blanket, and settled back into my chair.

Two minutes later Emily asked if it would be okay if we read inside instead.

We made it about 12 minutes. 

But those 12 minutes were heavenly.

I can’t wait to be out there all the time.

XO,

Vicki

picture from Tiny White Daisies.

Hi Friends!

Did you have a glorious Easter?  We sure did!  As promised, the weekend was filled with lots of laughter and fun.  Friday we had a blast with John’s parents and his sister and her wonderful family.  John’s mom made the yummiest baked fish and the kids had fun playing cards with GG. 

Saturday we spent the day at Tom and Tommy’s decorating eggs and eating yummy pizza (yay for family who loves anchovies!).  Remember those cute sparkly eggs I posted about last week that were supposedly a breeze to make? Yeah.  Those little glue dots were a bugger.  They did not want to stick to the eggs, but they did want to stick to everything else:  fingers, newspapers, other people.  Best advice:  make sure your eggs are completely room temperature before you try to stick the glue dot on.  Needless-to-say, I spent the whole time trying to get glue dots to stick on everyone’s eggs so they could play with the glitter.  : )

Jack decided to go old-school with his egg and it turned out adorable

Sunday we got all dolled-up and headed over to Michael’s house. 

Christy and Michael went all out to make the day especially lovely. 

The table was gorgeous…

 and everyone had fun getting tours of Michael’s beautiful home.

Of course, in true Vicki fashion, I didn’t manage to get even one picture of John and I, but rest-assured, we were there and having a wonderful time.  I was the one in the floral blouse and walking cast.  : )

The little details (butter in the shape of lambs!  Flowers everywhere!) made everything seem extra special.  But the highlight of the day had to be the feast Michael and Christy prepared.  Michael is a professional chef, and let me tell you, the food was spectacular!  Homemade blue cheese dressing (divine!), a ham baked in pastry and a beef bourguignon that would have put Ms. Child to shame!  The little lamb cakes were too adorable.

Michael asked Jack if he’d like to help him cut the lamb cakes:

Anyone else think giving a 9-year-old a huge knife might be a bad idea? 

But in the end, he did a fine job helping Michael:

Thank you, Michael and Christy, for a beautiful, spectacular Easter celebration!

XO,

Vicki

Hello, Friends!

I hope you all have a wonderfully Happy Easter! 

We are off celebrating with our families. 

This weekend is sure to be filled with lots of laughter, good food, egg decorating, basket-hunting and (hopefully) plenty of black jellybeans (my favorite!).

I’ll be back on Monday with all kinds of pictures and stories!

XO,

Vicki

Lovely picture found (here).

Hi Friends!

I loved this weeks’ 52Photos prompt, “Open.”  I immediately thought of an open book.  I know I’ve written plenty about my love of reading here on the blog.  The truth is, I can’t imagine my life without books.  I have been a reader my entire life.  Books have taken me places I would never gone and helped me meet people I wouldn’t have otherwise.  I have learned about different cultures and religions and customs.  Books have kept me company when I’ve been lonely and made me laugh when I was sad.  Reading is definitely my favorite simple pastime.  And I couldn’t be happier that I’ve passed on my love of reading to all three of my kids.  I love that they, too, will have a lifetime of book joy.

XO,

Vicki

Hi Friends!

Have I mentioned how excited I am about this weekend?!?  Christy’s fiance, Michael, is hosting the big celebration on Easter–I can’t wait!  Before that, we’ll celebrate with John’s family on Friday and then head to Tom and Tommy’s on Saturday for the big Easter Egg Decorating Extravaganza.  We had so much fun decorating eggs together last year, that we’ve decided it’s going to be an annual tradition.  This year I’m bringing 54 hard-boiled eggs down, though, because clearly, 36 was not enough last year.  : ) 

Last year we made all kinds of chicks and birds.  This year, I’m going to switch things up a bit–a little more artsy and a little less farm animal.  I love these delicate beauties:

And who wouldn’t love a little sparkle on their eggs:

Fun, right?

But then I spied this little guy and he kind of stole my heart:

We just might have to make a little heard of sheep, too.

I don’t know who is more excited for the decorating party–the kids or the adults?  I can’t wait!!

What are you doing with your eggs this year?

Happy decorating!

XO,

Vicki

All but the glitter eggs came from Martha (of course!).  The glitter eggs were from (here).