School Feast 'n Such

Inspired by NieNie, we had our first back-to-school feast or more like going-to-kindergarten feast. As requested by Stella, on the menu was pasta with butter and salt, grilled lemon basil chicken, carrots and fresh tomatoes. For dessert, chocolate-covered vanilla pops. We talked about things to expect at school, goals to complete and parental advice. I think this whole kindergarten thing is harder on me than her.

Another going-to-kindergarten event that happened was our mommy/daughter date. We had so much fun just the two of us. After a bite to eat, we got our toes and nails done. Stella chose an apple green polish accented with lemon-colored flowers. She was in heaven getting her toes done...I think maybe I shouldn't have introduced pedicures to her so soon. We got last minute school clothes and then she got to pick an item at Claire's. We ended our date munching down a Crumbs cupcake.

Goodbye Summer

We will miss you. Come back soon, and next time stay longer. Thanks for all the memories that we'll hold onto forever!

Cousins

Summertime is when my children get to see their cousins. It's one of their favorite parts of the season. And really the only time of year they get to be with them and spend hours and hours playing, being silly and laughing away. Days are spent swimming, eating popsicles, playing make-believe and jumping on the trampoline. Nights are spent listening to stories, staying up late, eating ice cream and watching Disney movies. My children love their cousins and question why they don't get to play with them all the time. And why all the fun has to end with a good-bye. Good question--maybe one day we will be near them.

Miss Vera and Miss Izzy might as well be their cousins. They spent just as much time with them and call each other cousins.

Murals

The other weekend was spent in Philadelphia. One of the perks of living where we do--so many cities and landmarks in driving distance. I had no idea Philly is known for murals. There are thousands of beautiful murals all around the city's landscapes. We'd be walking and have to stop and admire the detail and sometimes try to figure out the meaning.

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Sweetiepie

I've got to go check out Sweetpie Restaurant in the West Village just for the decor alone. Natalie posted the ice cream shop, and it looks like a magical little place where Alice in Wonderland would stop to get a slice of chocolate cake. Or maybe try a $75 ice cream sundae!

Family Tree

I've been wanting to put a framed whimsical family tree together for a while so the children can know who their grandparents/ancestors are. Just because family members have passed on we shouldn't forget them! Because of an obligation I had at my church, it gave me the opportunity to finally get my act together. And I'm so happy with the results. I found this template on Valentina Design. I can't find the exact link, but I'm sure if you email her she'll send the file. I positioned the different PNG files in Photoshop to my liking, added family pictures and text. Because of time I printed on 11x17 at Kinkos and put in Ikea frame. It came out great!

Blueberry Eyes

Oh my little blueberry-eyes boy! He is nine months and growing. Too quickly, that is. I'm so backward with doctor visits--anyone know if he's suppose to go at nine months? So I don't have any stats but here are a few things going on in his little busy life.

• Crawling everywhere and standing up
• A very serious/curious child. He likes to examine objects--not much of a test-tastier, more a finger-tester. Pays close attention to different noises.
• Interested in things that open and close
• Loves the sand and is determined to catch a sea gull
• Already saying "mama" and calls for me.
• Bring his blankie, and he'll sleep anywhere
• Knows a little bit of basic sign language
• Clapping and almost knows how to blow kisses, wave and give kisses

Mountain Man

I am married to a mountain man whose stuck in a big city. A couple times a year (yes, more than once), he has to go climb a mountain. No it's not hiking--it's serious climbing. On ice. And I don't see him for a week and sometimes don't even hear from him for about five days. Yes, my head spins. My heart pounds. And I pray around the clock for his safety. Once I get that phone call, all the butterflies flutter away. But it's his passion. He thrives on it. It's his escape from life. And he loves the challenge. I'm dreading the day when he says he's ready to take on the "Great One". Hopefully that day won't come. Anyway, I'm glad I don't have to deal with it for another six months.

Cardsink

Speaking of my crazy man, I think I need to give him this card. Fingers crossed, he hasn't come home from one of his adventures all bandaged up, but I think the card makes its point. Actually, this card is not a greeting card...yet. It's creative artwork, but if you click here you can vote for the artwork to be made into a card. CardsInk is a site where designers can submit artwork for greeting cards, then the artwork gets voted on by the community. And of course the most votes wins and the best artwork gets printed into greeting cards and made for sale and the designer gets money. So, go vote for your favorite. You know I did.

Fruit Picking

One of our favorite summertime activities is picking our own fruit. It's work. It's hot and sweaty. But it's fun and the kids enjoy it. Then we come home and do more work like washing, peeling, cutting then deciding whether to freeze, dehydrate, bake or jar. Whatever we decide, the fruit always seems to taste a little sweeter. I think it's because we put alot of love into it. And it's not just me--my kids are great helpers.

Oh No He Didn't

Time to babyproof. Look how excited baby is standing up in his crib! He was so proud of himself when he figured out this little trick of pulling himself up. The world is a different place when you stand up. He is loving the new view and the new exploration.

Cobbler

My head is spinning with our never-ending computer problem chaos. This week the problem is can't load my pictures from my camera, and some of the software is not working. I've been avoiding the computer all week. Long story and no it's not a virus. Just old. It's been going on for, let's see, umm...years. I want to get this computer. But the hubby refuses. Back and forth, back and forth. We've not budge from our separate opinions. Well, okay I guess I have because it's been such a week of headaches that I went and randomly bought a computer without him knowing. But it's one he would approve. So, he got his wish. However, I did tell him that I've not put my foot down on the computer I want. Oh, yes I will get that one day.very soon.

In the meantime, I did make a scrumptous, mouth-watering, give-me-seconds peach AND blueberry cobblers. All the fruit hand picked by my children's little hands. A few people have asked for the recipe, so here it is but just so you know I cheated.

Blueberry Cobbler

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup water

2 pints fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained

1 box of yellow cake mix

1 cup of chopped pecans

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 cup of melted butter

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 baking pan. In saucepan, stir together sugar, flour, lemon juice and water. Combine well. Stir in blueberries. Turn heat to med-high. Stir until mixture boils. Pour into pan. Sprinkle top with cake mix. Then pecans. Then cinnamon. Drizzle butter over top. Cover as much as possible. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Serve with homemade whipped cream.

To make peach cobbler: I omited the flour, lemon juice and water and added two tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of ginger.

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Outdoor Shower

Living near the beach and frequent visits? Yes, I do think we need to install one of these in our backyard. I've given up on a sand-free house. Click here to make your own outdoor shower.

Eighties Child

I'm a child of the 80's. All those great 80's movies are happy memories of my childhood and are associated to something I remember. Music, recited lines, dance moves, 80's style--Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club. They are still in my top 100 movie list. Love them all. Thanks John for the memories!

Silhouette Art

Brooklyn Limestone has a good tutorial on how to make silhouette art. I like how she positioned them above her bed--very cute. And if you are new to this blog, their renovation journey of transforming their brownstone is amazing and inspiring. Makes me want to go buy a dilapidated house.

Antique Farmhouse

This farmhouse was built in 1839 and has quite a lot of charm. The exposed woodbeams in the kitchen, backyard frenchdoors and long banquette are some of my favorite. Oh, my love for a banquette only grows fonder. Click here to purchase and see more.