Things to do in Coeur d'AleneHomehttp://ilovecda.com/home/2012-01-19T23:57:37ZSquarespaceilovecda goes to Vegas, Baby!http://ilovecda.com/home/2012/1/16/ilovecda-goes-to-vegas-baby.htmlilovecda2012-01-16T23:40:00Z2012-01-16T23:40:00ZEvery year yours truly heads on down to Las Vegas for a convention - Affiliate Summit West. Normally I abhor the idea - I can think of more fun ways to lose my money than gamble it away, thank.you.very.much. But this year was different.

Besides smelling like a wet ashtray, Vegas was a hoot! My (almost) entire team from work headed down and one of my girlie-girl teammies and I got to bond over the Bronco-Steeler game. He doesn't know it yet, but Tim Tebow is her future husband.

Go Broncos!

I will admit, there is nothing more fun than watching the Broncos beat the Steelers in a Vegas bar full of merry-makers donning Terrible Towels!

Well, while in the land of "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" I discovered a new app for my iPhone (yes, Hubs got me one of my own for my birthday - I'm a tech geek, sorry) ... Instagram (Love it!)

Here are some pics I took in Vegas. I hope you enjoy...

Breakfast, Vegas Style Baby

This is what breakfast in Vegas looks like.

Oh-so-yummy-Goat-Cheese-Scrambled-Eggs-with-Sundried-Tomatos-and-Basil

Scrambled regs with sundries tomato and goat cheese at Hash House a Go Go

Bonding over Broncos!

Team bonding over Tebow in Vegas

Sushi Solo - Romantic Dinner for One

Sushi in Vegas.

Shoes-I-can-never-wear-because-I'm-6-feet-tall-and-have-a-giant-foot-life's-sooo-not-fair

More playing

]]>Where to celebrate Christmas in Coeur d'Alene, Idahohttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/22/where-to-celebrate-christmas-in-coeur-dalene-idaho.htmlilovecda2011-12-22T18:33:30Z2011-12-22T18:33:30ZFor some time now, the Lovely Family has been attending Lake City Community Church - since 2003, to be exact. I absolutely love the Christmas Eve celebrations there and thought, for that reason, I would send out an open invite to all my beloved bloggy chums (as in: "friends" not fish bait) to gather up the chillins and head on over to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Here's a schedule of the Christmas Eve services:

  • Friday, December 23rd - 7pm
  • Saturday, December 24th - 3pm, 5pm and 7pm
  • Sunday, December 25th - closed

Nursery Care will be provided for children up to 36 months of age at all services.

Here's a map to Lake City Community Church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho:


View Larger Map

Merry Christmas!

]]>Recipes on ilovecda.comhttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/15/recipes-on-ilovecdacom.htmlilovecda2011-12-16T04:59:02Z2011-12-16T04:59:02ZMany of you don't know, but ilovecda.com features a recipe library. Hubs and I love (let me repeat that, LOVE) to cook and we are raising (hopefully, raising) MunchkinButt with a similar appreciation for the culinary arts.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, food photography is VERY difficult - so I don't have as many entries as I have recipes. I don't have a professional studio, so I am completely reliant on natural light. Summers are hard because the light is so harsh at dinner time. Winters are hard because it gets dark at 3pm. My external hard drive is packed with photos that won't see the light of day here on ilovecda.com.

However, I have the following two sweet recipes that I am proud of (photos, too) and wanted to share them with you. Consider making these with your own kids and leave them out for Santa. I promise, Santa will LOVE them!

Santa's Favorite Peppermint Bark

The Best Chocolate Mousse on the Planet

I hope you enjoy! Merry Christmas!

]]>Christmas Gift Ideas under $25 - Coldwater Creekhttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/15/christmas-gift-ideas-under-25-coldwater-creek.htmlilovecda2011-12-15T23:26:48Z2011-12-15T23:26:48ZThe Lovely Family loves wine. And, if you're anything like us, you have your schedule packed with parties galore with friends and family during the holiday season and will don your beverage of choice. Consider dressing your bottle wine for your next party in this...

Fair Isle Bottle Outfit from Coldwater Creek iconfor $14.95

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And, if blue looks better with your eyes...

Snowy Bottle Outfit from Coldwater Creek iconfor $14.95

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Merry Christmas!

]]>Buy Local - Last Minute Stocking Stuffers: Coeur d'Alene, Idahohttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/12/buy-local-last-minute-stocking-stuffers-coeur-dalene-idaho.htmlilovecda2011-12-13T04:55:02Z2011-12-13T04:55:02ZI was perusing Facebook in the wee hours of the morn a few nights ago, as is my custom while Hubs watches ESPN for the nth time, and I happened upon a page with some of the cutest kids' hats I have seen! 

Check this out...

The Royal Blossom - hats for kids

I reached out the owner, Jocelyn Drake of Post Falls, and she has agreed to provide a giveaway exclusively for the best blog followers in Coeur d'Alene (um... that would be you!)

Here are the rules... as easy as 1-2-3...

  1. you must be local to Coeur d'Alene and willing to pick up your swag from me in person,
  2. you must visit Jocelyn's Etsy site and pick out the cutest hat you can find,
  3. comment on this blog entry by Sunday, Dec 18th at let me know which hat is your absolute fave (include your email address, please!)

The giveaway is for the uber-adorable "Sleeping Owl" hat seen here...

The winner will be announced on Monday, Dec 19th and sent an email. You have until Dec 19th, 11:59pm Pacific time to reply and claim your prize.

Good luck!

Photos in the blog post courtesy of Bella Kole Photography and Rachael Petersen at Beauty is Photography (Rachael Petersen is local to Coeur d'Alene!)

]]>The Challenge is on - Scrud's Gourmet Grub in Coeur d'Alene, Idahohttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/9/the-challenge-is-on-scruds-gourmet-grub-in-coeur-dalene-idah.htmlilovecda2011-12-09T22:32:05Z2011-12-09T22:32:05ZA couple of days a co-worker of mine took on the challenge of a FIVE POUND hamburger from the new burger joint in downtown Coeur d'Alene, Scrud's Gourmet Grub (located on 4th Street just North of Lakeside Avenue).

Check this out...

Beyond just being a really big burger, Jon said it had great flavor. Though he won't partake in the challenge again (he was STILL suffering the next day), he will be back.

Here's some more pics. Check out the meat sweats in the photo on the right...

Scrud's is located at 206 North 4th in downtown Coeur d'Alene and is open Monday-Saturday, 11am to 9pm (according to their Facebook page).

Besides having great burgers, another co-worker (who dared to watch Jon eat the 5 pound monster above) braved the hot wings. He's still sweating and it's been 2 days.

If you go, tell them you learned about them right here on ilovecda.com.

]]>Christmas Gift Ideas under $25 - Coldwater Creekhttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/5/christmas-gift-ideas-under-25-coldwater-creek.htmlilovecda2011-12-06T05:34:17Z2011-12-06T05:34:17ZI love the elegance of this glass bowl. Made of recycled glass, I can see it as the centerpiece on any holiday table with friends and family.

Petal Bowl from Coldwater Creek iconfor $24.95

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]]>Ski Resorts near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho: Snow Reportshttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/5/ski-resorts-near-coeur-dalene-idaho-snow-reports.htmlilovecda2011-12-06T04:32:15Z2011-12-06T04:32:15ZThere are five (count them, 5) ski resorts within driving distance from Coeur d'Alene and, mark my word, there-will-be-snow. There might not be any now, but according to The Old Farmer's Almanac, it will snow this year.

So, when it does, you best be prepared and have the ski resorts on speed dial so you know where to go when the flurries fly.

Click the any of the images below to be redirected.

Idaho Snow Reports

Washington Snow Reports

And, if you're coming from out of town, here's a map to the ski resorts near Coeur d'Alene:


View Ski Resorts near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in a larger map

And, of course, if you're looking for other areas around the state of Idaho, you can visit Ski Idaho - the Official Idaho Skiing and Winter Recreation website.

]]>Christmas Concert at Kroc Center - Coeur d'Alene, Idahohttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/1/christmas-concert-at-kroc-center-coeur-dalene-idaho.htmlilovecda2011-12-02T04:42:57Z2011-12-02T04:42:57ZThe Northwest Sacred Music Chorale presents "Come Home to the Sounds and Spirit of Christmas" this year on Wednesday, Dec. 21st at 5pm and again at 8pm at The Kroc Center here in Coeur d'Alene.

Tickets prices are as follows:

  • Adults: $15
  • Seniors/Students: $10

You can buy tickets online at Northwest Sacred Music Chorale or by visiting any of the following Coeur d'Alene locations:

  • First Presbyterian Church - 521 E. Lakeside
  • Great Harvest Bread Company - 2106 N. Government Way
  • Northwest Academy of Music - 4045 N. Government Way

To learn more, visit Northwest Sacred Music Chorale.

]]>Christmas Gift Ideas under $25 - Coldwater Creekhttp://ilovecda.com/home/2011/12/1/christmas-gift-ideas-under-25-coldwater-creek.htmlilovecda2011-12-01T23:31:08Z2011-12-01T23:31:08ZWhat do you get a sister that has everything, including a killer earring collection and expensive taste? Without breaking the bank? This...

Tourmaline Drop Earrings from Coldwater Creek iconfor $24.95

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Don't forget, free shipping until Dec. 20th (with guaranteed Christmas delivery) - no more driving up to Sandpoint!

And, today only! Use this link to get 20% off site wide!

Merry Christmas!

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