Tomorrow's To Dos

Blog on sister, blog on

Posted on June 4, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

I definitely do not have hours on end to leisurely read blog after blog, so when I do take the time to peek into other folks’ business, I make sure it’s good stuff.

Here’s who I’m currently loving:

Little Baby Garvin: Maybe it’s her love of the Hawkeyes. Maybe it’s her hand-lettering/chalkboard skills. Maybe it’s her darling two (soon-to-be three) girls. Or maybe it’s because she is so freaking funny. Whatever it is, I can’t get enough of this lady and her day-to-day awesomeness. I’m pretty sure we’d be friends (and co-margarita drinkers) IRL.

Camp Patton: Hilarious momma and the cutest pack of kiddos award goes to this blog. Grace & Co. are making their way through residency with a side of laughter and a lot of love.

Waiting on Martha: An impeccable shop and super chic blog. What more could you ask for? My inner party planner goes into overdrive when I scroll Mandy’s blog. I mean, my head literally spun off about half way through this particular post.

Design Love Fest: This blog started as a go-to for amazing desktop wallpapers and has evolved into a major creative juices starter. Oh, and her recent travels have been giving me serious wanderlust!

Hen & Co: This one is relatively new to my list, but I just know it’s going to be a keeper. The House to Home posts speak to my never ending desire to find cool stuff to fill our log home.

Who is on your “must read” blog list these days?

Posted in Blogs | Tagged Camp Patton, Little Baby Garvin, Waiting of Martha | Leave a comment

Father Julian

Posted on June 2, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

This past weekend we hopped on a plane with family to head west for 48 hours. The reason: my dad’s brother (he is one of thirteen children) was celebrating 50 years of being a priest in Colorado Springs.

We are very blessed to have a priest in the family. (Fun fact: My dad spent a year in the seminary before leaving. He met my mom shortly after.) Fr. J was a concelebrant for my wedding and my gelato eating partner in Rome when I visited during my college years.

I have fond memories of celebrating Sunday morning Mass, crowded into my grandma’s living room while still in my pajamas. It always was so special to me that I got to experience Mass in that sort of setting. So close and personal.

We all had a great weekend catching up with family from across the country to celebrate Father and this amazing accomplishment.

[the most beautiful view from the hilltop][Our Lady of Angels Friary in Colorado Springs][hanging with the Capuchins for the weekend][My sis Morgan snagged this amazing photo] [little man out wandering around] [Evie loved his cousin Alex!][Brookie baby and her mama] [family is everything] [a few silent moments on the flight home…it didn’t last long][my little angel babies in front of some Templeton whiskey barrels #parentsoftheyear]

Posted in Family, Travel | Tagged Colorado, Colorado Springs, Our Lady of Angels Friary | Leave a comment

Bon anniversaire

Posted on May 28, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

Straight from the Carlton Card I picked up this past weekend to give to my husband in honor of our fourth wedding anniversary:

I remember how lucky I felt when we fell in love and got married — I couldn’t imagine anything better.

But building a home and a family with you has made me happy in ways I’d never dreamed.

You’re a wonderful husband — and the man I’ll always love.

Happy Anniversary hunny, this card #nailedit and I can’t wait to officially celebrate with you in France this fall.

Posted in Wedding | Tagged anniversary, Carlton Cards, wedding | Leave a comment

Long weekend faves

Posted on May 27, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

After a weekend away being a “lake girl”, I’m looking ahead to a short work week, an anniversary and a family trip to Denver.

Here are a few of my favorite snaps from Memorial Day weekend:

[celebrating some good news with bubbles and bottles]

[cousin bath time]

[post bath bliss]

[chillin’ in the pool]

[mommy/son ice cream date at PJ’s Drive-In]

[spending quality time with great grandpa]

[honoring all the men and women who serve this great country]

Posted in Family, Holidays | Tagged Lake Panorama, Memorial Day, Panora | Leave a comment

#boymom

Posted on May 22, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

Maybe it’s the fact that my husband is constantly dressed in full camo. Maybe it’s because I’m a #boymom. Maybe it’s because I live in a log home surrounded by trees and wildlife. But I can’t seem to get enough camouflage lately.

[a fruitful Thursday night DIY session]

Looking for a way to add this military-inspired pattern into your (or your wee one’s) wardrobe? Look no further.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

Do you have an obsession with a certain pattern or color scheme?

Posted in Accessories, Fashion | Tagged boymom, camouflage, L.L.Bean, mom, Old Navy, Target, Terrapin Stationers | Leave a comment

Tiny dancers

Posted on May 19, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

We are beyond blessed to get to call seven special ladies our nieces. They more than make up for what we are lacking in the glitter and pink department around House Branstad.

Growing up with two sisters, our lives were filled with many activities and dancing was one of them. I even spent a few years traveling with a competition team. So when the annual recital time comes around I get very nostalgic about sequins and tutus. So much so that I can’t make it to the intermission without tearing up a time or two.

I absolutely LOVE getting to see my nieces all dressed up, on stage performing their little hearts out. #proudauntiemoment

[all dressed up for his cousins’ recital day]
[cute even when he makes goofy faces] [where did all the babies go?][between Ev’s hands on his knees and Brookie’s rolls…it’s all just too much]

[Aunt Mo nailed it with this amazing photo of Sidney. I want to cry every time I see it][Marcus loves dance recitals ;)]

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

How does your garden grow?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

We will soon find out…

With a newly acquired acreage, we figured why the heck not plant a massive garden. Thanks to some serious help from my dad, we decided to go big or go home. Our plants include tomatoes, two types of lettuce, beans and all sorts of herbs.

Here is the evolution of the log home garden build in photos:

And a garden wouldn’t be complete without some beautiful blooms on the property as well!

Now, if you ask Marcus, I will probably kill this garden and all the pretty flowers within a few weeks, but I swear I’m turning over a new leaf (puns FTW).

Do you have a garden? If so, what kind of stuff did you plant this season?

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Mother’s Day weekend

Posted on May 12, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

We stayed quite busy this past weekend packing as much as we could into Mother’s Day weekend. It kicked off with a BBQ with friends on Friday night where we enjoyed morel mushrooms the size of our head. Marcus likes to fry up his fungus finds in crushed saltines and a stick of butter. So bad but soooooo good!

On Saturday morning I got motivated and went out for a run. It didn’t last as long as I hoped, but baby steps. I still have the goal to run a 5k at some point this year…

I got home just in time to open up a card from my mom, have a cup of my favorite Zanzibar coffee and get ready before we took off to a Mother’s Day Tea at Terrace Hill.After another lovely tea, we packed up the car and headed out on the open road to Pella, Iowa for their annual Tulip Time festival. The weather was perfect and the kids loved the almond-filled pastries and Dutch dancers complete with wooden shoes!

Mother’s Day morning started perfectly with a cup of coffee, a Dutch letter and card from my boys. Shortly after, we were off again for family brunch – mimosas included! I spent most of my time running around outside with Everett as he checked out the garden at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. They have the most gorgeous peonies in bloom right now!

After filling up on egg bake and fresh fruit, I got my real gift of the day, a trip to my happy place (Target) without my kid in tow. It was glorious.

After picking up “the essentials” I headed to my parents’ house to celebrate my dad’s birthday. The festivities included drinking some rose from William Harrison, smooching on baby Brookie and an amazing meal around the harvest table.Packed to the gills and with family. Exactly how I wanted to spend my Mother’s Day weekend!

Posted in Family | Tagged Jaarsma Bakery, Mother's Day, Pella, Terrace Hill, Tulip Time, Zanzibar's Coffee | Leave a comment

Insta stuff

Posted on May 6, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

We’ve been keeping busy lately, so I’m going to do a little photo dump. Like what you see? Come join the party on Instagram.

[I swear by local coffee from Zanzibar’s]

[Ev asking to hold my hand/my heart almost exploding out of my chest]

[cousin time at a family barbecue]

[my creation from a ladies night with Wine & Canvas Des Moines]

[if you have fresh rhubarb you must make this bundt cake from Honey & Jam]

[arm party for my Stella&Dot ladies brunch last weekend]

Posted in Lifestyle | Tagged bundt cake, Honey & Jam, recipe, Stella & Dot, Wine & Canvas, Zanzibar's Coffee | Leave a comment

Mother may I?

Posted on May 3, 2015 by tomorrowstodos

Woah, where did April go?! We are already into the lovely month of May and with all the new blooms and sunshine comes a day to celebrate moms. Yippee!

Do you have a special lady that deserves a little lovin’ this year? Be sure to show her how much you appreciate all that she does every day, but especially on Sunday, May 10.

robe / reversible tote / necklace / workout gear / blo gift card / local coffee

Posted in Gifts, Gifts for Mom | Tagged mom, Mothers's Day | Leave a comment