Wednesday, July 27, 2011

There's no place like home.

That is, unless you are on vacation.

We just returned from a week in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  This is the third year we've rented this particular vacation home and we just love it. Anytime you go can get away as a family it's nice, but this year, it just seemed like our time was extra special.  Not sure why it felt any different, but we live in a very hectic area of the country (and since we are so close to the central political arena, it can be volatile at times, as well), so going somewhere that is totally peaceful...with the exception of the cows and the other sounds of nature...is a welcomed respite. The private pool isn't too shabby either. I have more pictures, but I have to upload them from my phone.  :-) 

Swimming in the deep end.  She's quite the little fish.

Star and Sweet Pea (two of the four miniature horses that live on this side of the farm.) When you go near the fence, they come running. It's nice to think they want to see you, but it's all about the carrots! 

Thursday, July 14, 2011

You are so beautiful to me....

You are so beautiful to me





Can't you seeeeeeeee





You're everything I hoped for.  You're everything I need.





You are so beautiful to meeeeeee


 

 Meet my first garden tomato.  The Lord created it and it was good.



Sunday, July 10, 2011

Thanks, Martha

I got an email this week from Martha Stewart (yes, THE Martha Stewart.  She and I are like peas and carrots, didn't you know?) Actually, I have no clue how I got on her mailing list, but the message was about summer activities to keep your kid busy.  Most of them I skimmed over, but one idea did jump out at me:  sponge balls.

Julianna loves water balloons - what kid doesn't - however, I hate filling water balloons.  There I said it.  Confessions of a bad mommy.  The filler thingy they give you never fits our faucets.  I usually have to stretch it over my laundry room utility tub faucet, inevitably having most burst while filling, which ends up in only a few successes.  (Generally because I'm wet from said busted balloons and in a foul mood, so the number of attempts is greatly reduced.) Then, you go out for the battle and what happens?  The balloon bounces off of her and breaks on the ground. Grrrrr!

Hence, Martha to the rescue.

In a nutshell, you take the rectangular sponges, cut them into strips, stack them on top of each other, tie with a string, fluff and voila, the sponge ball is born. They soak better and can be reused!  Win, win!


Here is my pictorial of the creation of the sponge ball!
Cut up sponge strips
Stack the strips
Tie with a string (or yarn)
Fluff the sponges
Don't fluff too hard.  Oopsie!
A happy little sponge balls

Yes, friends, that is a shattered touchscreen.  Weep with me.  I'm not ready to talk about it.  It's still usable.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Come to Mama!

Oh my, do I love this newly discovered blog.  Of course, I have been stuck home since Sunday with a sick kid, eating out of my slowly becoming bare pantry, so everything on here looks AMAZING! 

Be warned. 

http://www.plainchicken.com/

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

How Does Your Garden Grow? Part 4

First harvest. 

1 zucchini
4 cucumbers (2 are missing - blame my hubby)
1 sweet pepper (I think I should have left it on to get yellow.  Live and learn.)
1 cherry tomato (burp)

Friday, July 1, 2011

The Pajama Chef, Episode 2

Today's Theme:  Dinner (Pizza)
Starring:  Julianna, The Pajama Chef (who's NOT in jammies - a technicality)
 I think we might stick to breakfast - she seems a little more sedate in the morning.  :)