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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

I fell in love with Salzburg. I really did. I loved everything about it. The food (oh the schnitzel and the sweets!), the people, and oh my Lord the views. It’s absolutely stunning.

Two days was simply NOT enough for this trip.

We had to cut our trip a day short and there was SO much more we wanted to do. The famous coffee houses, shopping, Eagle’s Nest, salt mines, a marionette show (they were not performing in October!- the things I want to see are endless.

I have no doubt in my mind that Salzburg warrants another trip. Next time we’ll add Hallstatt to the itinerary. And DEFINITELY a Christmas trip.

Here’s what we did manage to fit in.

Day 1– Window shopping, exploring Old Town Salzburg, and eating. oh the eating!

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I’m so mad we didn’t make it back to purchase these outfits I photographed. We got back too late from the tour on Saturday and of course everything was closed on Sunday.

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This toy store was incredible. German + Austrian toy stores are my absolute favorite.

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Walking, walking, and more walking. Salzburg is easily manageable by foot.

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Day 2- Sound of Music tour from Bob’s Tours. I would have preferred to do the bike tour but that’s obviously not a good fit for our family right now, ha!

My thoughts- It was really fun and as a fan of the movie I thought it was pretty cool. It was long for the kids, I’d recommend it as an adults trip. They did love listening to the soundtrack in the van (they know most of the words) but the tour guide talked too much for Sadie. HA!

I totally get the disdain that Austrians have for the movie but if the tour guide talked about how “schmaltzy” it was one more time I was going to scream. Obvi I know it’s cheesy and I’m a freaking American. WE LOVE CHEESE and musicals!

That said, I did really enjoy learning the history of the real Von Trapp family and hearing about the discrepancies between reality and the film. I learned lots of interesting tidbits.

The church where Maria and Captain Von Trapp were married in the film:

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Mirabell – Yes, The girls sang “Doe a Deer” the entire time we were here.


Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Schloss Leopoldskron– the lake/exterior. This is where the REAL “Uncle Max” lived. His summer home if you can believe it!

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Yes. They climbed the trees. No- they didn’t have magical damask curtain play clothes!

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

The hills are alive!!!

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell
And of course- the gazebo!

Salzburg // via Stephanie Howell

Hope y’all have a beautiful Monday!

xo

Just Write

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I’ve had this tab open in my browser for two days. The cursor keeps blinking at me and the publish button is mocking me. And still I can’t write anything.

I’ve thought about it. I could write a book post or a fall fashion post. I could write about Sadie losing her first tooth or Venice or the live chess match we went to.

I could write about lots of things but when I try to type the words out I just end up…not doing it.

I’m sitting here tonight staring at this screen yet again. There are a million things I should be doing but I really want to blog. I want to write something, put it out there, talk to myself, and connect with others all at the same time.

As I sat here pondering what to write about for the zillionth time this week, it hit me. Just write.

So that’s what I’m doing tonight. No rhyme or reason, no topic, no agenda. I’m not going to think about it first or edit myself. No hemming and hawwing. No backspacing. I just feel like getting something down and hitting publish.

This world is so scary right now. I mean, rationally I realize that the world is always scary. But between the sad horrible things that humans are doing to one another, the horrendous diseases ravaging and taking lives, and the other stuff. Terrifying people and things and groups. Things that have me changing the name of my blog and wondering what I can talk about. And again- rationally I realize that terrorists depend on scaring us. And that we simply cannot let them win. But dammit, it’s enough to make me want to crawl into a bubble with my babies and never come out.

What helps? Prayer. Exercise. Being with my friends and my precious family. Just living.

But it can be paralyzing if you let it. The what-ifs can stop you right in your tracks if you let them.

Whew. Feels good just typing that.

What else?

Life is crazy busy (You know I HATE that word and the glorification of it-but it’s true) right now. I feel like the days are passing in a blur and I can barely catch my breath. Volunteering and exploring and traveling and exercising and running a taxi for four little girls. The best kind of crazy but oh it’s crazy. I long for a day in yoga pants and no bra! That sounds like heaven to me right now. To all of you working moms, I wish I could hug and high five each one of you right now. You are my heroes. I realize that I truly don’t have anything on my plate compared to each of you and I just want to tell you you rock.

 

But life is good. We are all healthy and that is such a gift. I am grateful for each and every day with my girls and J. Even in the midst of the dish washing and endless driving and spill wiping and ponytail tying…even when I’m breaking up fights and yelling too much and pulling my hair out- life is beautiful.

 

Thanks for listening to my ramblings today. Back to regularly scheduled programming soon. 🙂

xoxo

S

 

Wordless (ish?!?!?) Wednesday

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Yes. This is really happening. And I don’t know who’s more excited, them or me.

P.S. They think they are dressing up as “menus” for Halloween.

Miscellaneous Monday

miscellaneous monday

 

1. If you haven’t seen Chef…rent it (or buy it!) now. J and I loved every single thing about it. But make sure you eat before you watch it. OH MY GOSH, my mouth was watering the entire time!

 

2. I totally bombed on the challenge this weekend. But I had a REALLY great weekend with family and friends I love. Bloody Marys, pizza, cappuccino, and playing with my kids instead of exercise? Yep, I’ll take it. One of the best weekends we’ve had in a long time.

 

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3. Here’s my latest pile of library books. Had to start with Landline, as I adore Rainbow Rowell. I’ll let y’all know what I think!

 

4. We watched The Sound of Music as a family for Friday movie night this weekend. We are going to Austria soon and we’ll be doing the Sound of Music tour so I wanted to refresh my memory. The girls LOVED it and have been singing “Do, a deer, a female deer” for days. And how could I have forgotten how much I adore that film? “Reverend Mother, I have sinned.” Can’t wait to frolic in the hills. You know I’m totally going to spin around like an idiot 🙂

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5. I just got an Instagram poster from Polagram and I am obsessed. I can’t wait to frame this and get it up on the wall.

Happy Monday, sweet friends!

xoxo
S

Miscellaneous Monday

 

miscellaneous monday


1. I deleted my Twitter account. I don’t know…I just feel like I had too many social media accounts and things to keep up with. And I never felt a “connection” on Twitter, if that makes sense. So I deleted it and I don’t miss it a bit. My long neglected blog FB page has been so much fun lately, though. Lots of great conversations and inspiration from the community. If you get a chance, join in!

 

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2. I finally found a really, truly good book. A beautiful book that completely consumed me. The Language of Flowers. Thank you so much to whoever recommended it. I fell in love with it.

 

3. I made the easiest (and most delicious) dinner in recent memory last night. My children (and J) ate until there was nothing left but a pile of bones. It was like watching ravenous little cave people.

Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs (I used salt + pepper + cajun seasoning and no pam)

Sesame Garlic Green beans (I added onions and omitted the sesame oil)

 

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4. I’m loving my workout tank from Constantly Varied Gear. It’s soft and comfy…and best of all funny. The perfect combination. 🙂

 

5. I’m beyond excited that my brother and his sweet wife are coming to stay with us for Thanksgiving. Planning trips to Lake Como, Sirmione, Venice, and Florence!

 

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6. The new Gossamer Blue collections are finally available for purchase. YAY! Hurry and get ya some! I’m in love with all three. And I am NOT saying that because I have to. They are amazing. The labels, the cork, the tags, the veneer, the patterns…did I mention those LABELS? Swoon.

 

Okay, that’s it for today. I am going to try to make Nom Nom Paleo’s Meatloaf Muffins tonight. Wish me luck!

What do you have planned for this week?

xoxo

S