you, me, sushi?

Friday night we decided to do a night of Team Snarton Sushi. Diversion: I developed the name "Team Snarton" a couple years ago when Patti and I were partnered while working at CDC's Restoration Warehouse. This was back in the day when I was still nervous about being funny enough or clever enough because I wanted Patti to like me! (Hello, awkward junior high self - nice to see you poke your awkward head in my life still...)

Anyway! Friday night we headed over to Umi Sushi in Ann Arbor.

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[1] Fun restaurant decor!

[2] anything?

[3] ANYTHING?! OKAY!

[4] Hm, I can't pick up my water...

[5] But I can "pick up" Doug! (Hey baby. You, me, sushi?)

[6] Mmm. My favorite is still California rolls...

[7] The Snyders of Team Snarton!

[8] The Partons of Team Snarton!

6 on 10?

I've been wanting to do the 10-on-10 photo thingy for months. MONTHS. And every time I forget! So I just saw Manda's post and realized, yet again, I'd forgotten to take a picture each hour! Thankfully, I took a few pictures throughout the day anyway, though! Even though 3 of these are technically the same thing... I present you with my 6-on-10. Dang it.

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[1] Newborn onesie for Jeanette's shower today.

[2] Ruffle butt of the same onesie.

[3] All wrapped up & ready to go.

[4] On the way home from the shower - gorgeous drive!

[5] Stopped by the side of the road to pick a little bouquet.

[6] Dinner time.

Maybe I'll remember on October 10th... someone should probably remind me.

p.s. check out my most recent senior session here.

food for football

My friend Patti's husband, Zac, writes a blog for the Detroit Lions called the Side Lion Report. He has graciously asked us women to partake in a weekly feature called Tailgate Thursday - we provide fun recipes themed by the team the Lions are opposing that week! This Sunday, the Lions are playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so we went into pirate mode!

We made "Peg Legs" - aka, Oven-baked Mozzarella Sticks (original recipe here)

and "Treasure Chest Cupcakes"...

... or, if we're being really immature (and we are) - "Booty Cakes". Haha. Booty.

Check out our Tailgate Treats here!

it's my kind of town

Playing catch up! Pics from our trip to Chicago to see Dave & Sara.

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[1] partners in crime on the way to chicago

[2] night in the city sure looks pretty to me

[3] potato boats for breakfast. we unintentionally had a "boat" themed weekend.

[4] sara's cute decor on the balcony.

[5] hanging out* after an afternoon of window shopping & thrifting.

*didn't get a great shot of them, but we're sitting on benches sara made from old pallets!

[6] down to the boardwalk for dinner!

[7] boat out on lake michigan

[8] cute picnic & game bags. we brought a little grill & made kebabs.

[9] sun setting. watching navy pier to see if they'd do fireworks...

[10] the sky gets darker & the city lights get brighter

[11] just hanging out & talking

[12] sara & doug are disappearing!

[13] the 4 of us.

[14] me & sar

[15] started to rain, so we* went back to the house to grill banana boats!

*an incredibly alarming picture. we are extremely excited about this endeavor.

[16] grilled banana boats: cut open your banana, add various things that make said banana unhealthy, wrap in foil & grill for about 10 minutes.

[17] zucchini boats & homemade mac. incredibly sunday lunch.

[18] afternoon snack of frozen grapes, our* new fav!

*possibly the only picture in existence in which sara is in a dress and i'm in shorts.

A wonderful weekend with people we love!

Thanks, Winks!

bingo bango.

Oh Grandpa, how we loved to laugh

at the little things you'd do -

napkin tucked into your collar,

Equal always at hand

for that "strong potato flavor".

Clotheslines strung in minivans,

causing questions at borders.

Numbering the orchard blocks

and shaving while you walked.

Do you remember when Robert and I

stole your cart and tried to make it a car?

Or how mad you'd get

when you caught us peeling the birch tree?

And Grandpa, when we played Rummikub,

you'd impatiently urge us to hurry

then take your time at your turn.

Sneaking a cookie when I decorated with Gram,

I'd take out a snack to your studio.

Watching the slow, patient brush strokes

as your created life on the canvas.

You'd make me show off my latest piano piece

and you'd show off too -

the latest piece you'd composed.

How you'd beam with pride at our recitals!

Planting a hard, whiskery kiss on our cheeks.

On birthdays and at Christmas,

a harmonica has never sounded as sweet.

Always around the farm,

you'd come over and help me pick peaches.

Driving tractor, I'd climb up

To bring you a cup of water.

And when I was old enough to drive,

you flagged me down at the end of the field

to give me a frozen Snickers.

Picnics at the pond, where you sat

quietly watching the ones you loved.

A family so loud, so proud.

So beautiful, so bickering, so full.

As the old tree in the yard lost branches,

you nailed planks in their place

so your grandkids could still play.

Bingo bango, bingo bango...

Oh Grandpa, we love you.

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in loving memory of

Grandpa Bannister

December 31, 1918 - August 31, 2011