Spring Exchange

Hi all!  Several weeks ago I signed up to do a spring gift exchange hosted by Shopaholic in Alabama and Maryland Pink and Green.  Well, I was paired up with Erica and it turned out to be such fun!  First of all, Erica was super easy to shop for.  Hey, a girl who loves fashion and food, easy -- apron!!  So I went right over to my favorite lady, Lynn, and grabbed up the cutest and springiest Lilly Pulitzer apron I could find.  Erica seemed genuinely happy, even said she was going to use it for Easter!  I also gave her a copy of "Social Climbers,"  very important reading!!!

Then I received her gift and boy was it ever cute!  The minnies have actually taken all of it from me.  It included these fun items all packaged in a pail with shovel:

No picture of the pail, because it's already in use in the sandbox at their playground!

It really was a great exchange and I wanted to thank our wonderful hosts, Lori and Bethany, as well as my adorable partner Erica! 

Hope everyone is enjoying their spring gifts!  TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Chocolate Chip Cookies Warm the Soul!!

As I told y'all earlier, Husband adores his chocolate chip cookies!  So, today, I thought I'd share my favorite recipe with you.  This is a great cookie to share with those you love!  It's super easy to make, especially with a KitchenAid mixer.  Is there any other?!  And, though optional, I highly recommend one of Lynn's aprons all pretty and Lilly-fied!!  I own two sets for me and the minnies!!  They just make the whole process more colorful.  Just so you know, I bake the cookies on a Pampered Chef stoneware piece.  I swear by them for baking.


Finally, here's my recipe:


Chococlate Chip Cookies
1 C sugar
1 C firmly packed brown sugar
1C softened butter
2 eggs 
1-1/2 to 1-3/4 tsp pure vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2-3/4 to almost 3 C flour
14-16oz Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
(sometimes I'll use 1/2 semi-sweet and 1/2 milk chocolate)


Preheat oven to 375.


Beat together sugars, butter, vanilla and eggs until fluffy.  I start on speed 2 and increase to Speed 4.


Then, on the lowest setting, mix in the baking soda and salt.  Once incorporated, mix in about 1/2 C flour until incorporated.  Continue to add flour by 1/2 C increments until all flour has been used.  Then turn mixer back to speed 4 for about 30 seconds.  Back to stir and add chocolate chips.


I use a PC medium scoop and place the cookies about 2 inches apart on the cookie stone.  Bake for approximately 10 minutes.  Let the cookies cool for a couple of minutes on the cookie stone, then remove them to a cooling rack.  


Personally, I enjoy them warm, but Husband prefers them after a couple of hours with a glass of milk.  How do you enjoy your cookies?


Well, this has made me hungry, so I'm off to eat a cookie!  TTFN!!


XOXO,


Kim

Birthday Boy

Hi all!  Well, yesterday was a big day -- Husband's birthday!  It's funny how we differ on this.  To me it was a big deal, to him it was just another day.  As a kid, his family really didn't celebrate birthdays, so he could take them or leave them.  I, on the other hand, believe you should celebrate the entire month of your birth! 

Birthdays are a big deal.  They mark the day you came into this world and were first held and loved by your parents.  And, heck, let's be honest, the alternative to another birthday really stinks!  But, back to Husband, and his day.  I still think he had a nice one, I hope.  The kids made him birthday cards and it's always fun to see what their imagination has in store.  It was really cute watching Ittybit tell him what her scribble scrabble said!  The eldest and I made him chocolate chip cookies, because he hates cake, so that was fun for me.  Bonding over bakimg is always best!  Husband really liked the cookies, as he always does.  Truth be told though, that's good and bad, as he has Type 2 diabetes.  We won't tell his doctor he ate a few! ;)  He also received calls and emails wishing him a happy day -- that was all he needed. Other than that, we didn't do anything else.  That's what makes Husband most happy, just a quiet day with his family.  Well, as quiet as it can be with four kids!

Husband, I hope your day was just the way you wanted it!  And, to all my blog friends and family, I hope you celebrate your day, your way, too!  TTFN!!

XOXO,

Kim

Wow, Me, a Socialite?!

Happy day all!  Imagine my surprise this morning when I saw one of my favorite bloggers had crowned me a socialite!  Thank you so much Shopaholic in Alabama!!  If you haven't been to her site, I so recommend it!!


The rules-



Click on the above button and paste onto your blog/website


Answer the below questions


Pass onto 10 bloggers that you Love, go to their blog and let them know they've been tagged


1. Who is your style icon? Why, Lilly Pulitzer, of course!


2. What is your favorite socialite lit book?  Social Climbers by Beth Dunn ;)


3. Favorite party theme? Anything pink and green with a tropical twist.


4. Go to Halloween costume? Don't tell my parochial high school, but I love to wear my old uniform...


5. Extravagance you cannot live without? My Lilly Pulitzer flip flops with the blinged frog on them.  They are TDF!!!


6. Living person you admire? My mom


7. Greatest Fear? Something happening to my husband or kids


8. Trait you deplore in yourself? Impatience


9. Which talent would you most like to have? I would love to be a great photographer.


10. Greatest Achievement? My husband of 11 years (together for 16) and kids, without a doubt!




Some of my favorite bloggers.  There are way more than 10, so considered yourself tagged if not on this list!




1.Fashion Meets Food 


2.Good Girl Gone Redneck 


3.Kitchen Belleicious 


4. Southern Somedays  


5. Sweet Tea and Biscuits  


6. If Everyone Thought This Way  


7. Short Southern Momma  


8. Surviving Little People  


9. Everything is Better Pink  


10. Shop for Charity  


Hope you all enjoy your day!!  Off to run errands and get ready to bake my heart out for Husband's birthday tomorrow!!  TTFN!!


XOXO,


Kim

Frantic Friday

Hi all!!  Today's post is going to be minimal at best.  It's crazy around here as 5/6 of us have colds!  Yuck!!!  Another sign spring is here! :)  


This is a big weekend around here, because it is DH's birthday on Sunday.  Couldn't really think of anything he wanted or needed, so we're going to keep it simple.  The kids and I will bake chocolate chip cookies for him,  as they are his favorite!  Sometimes, I think, those are the best celebrations.  The quiet homemade ones that people put their hearts into, not all of their money.  Don't get me wrong, I love big parties and entertaining -- with all the planning and fun themes, but there is a time for quiet love.  Luckily, that is what my husband loves best and that's what we will do for him!


Well, off to school with the oldest and all the other things I have to do today.  TTFN!


XOXO,


Kim

Spring Clean!

Hi all!  Well, as I told you the other day, I know it's spring because DH was burning the Christmas tree and working on yard projects.  I also know it's spring, because I've been doing some spring cleaning of my own!


I have two huge bags of clothes to give to charity and that's just from the minnie's closets.  That doesn't include  the stuff I need to sale or consign.  Anyone know of a good place in Georgia?  Or does anyone have a girl that needs size 2-3t clothes?  I believe I have every season and style -- some designer some not -- and a lot of it hasn't even been worn!!!  That which has been worn is still in perfect condition.  Truly, I have enough to open my own store.  I guess that's what happens when you have two girls two years apart.


Today I'm focusing on the easy cleaning, mainly picking up, as my domestic goddess was here on Tuesday.  If you live in Georgia and need a girl, just let me know!  She really does a great job and I look forward to her visits.  


What spring cleaning projects do you have in store?


TTFN


XOXO,


Kim 

Super Sales!!

Took my little fashionista with me today to run errands and we ended up spending a couple of hours shoe shopping at Famous Footwear.  What fun!! She is growing up way too fast, as I've said before.  Well, to add to her growing, she decided she needed her first pair of heels today. 

She also ended up with several pairs of sandals and flip flops.  Here's my favorite pair of flip flops:

What made shopping there even more fun is that all shoes are buy one pair, get one pair 1/2 off, including clearance!  I walked out with the cutest pair of shoes for $7.50!  

Then, we went to Target and found these adorable sandals for only $19.99.  They also had starfish and the cutest pink and green flower with bee sandal!

Now for the other big sale news, thanks to Southern Savers, you can get a  Sylvania Blue Ray Player for $59, regularly $199, INCLUDING free shipping!!!

Hope these deals inspire you to do some spring shopping of your own!!

TTFN

XOXO,

Kim

Yummy Things!

Let me start this with a disclaimer, I promise I'm not stalking you, Erin!  That being said, it really does seem like it, because the two yummy things I'm talking about today are contributed to her.


First, Erin had tweeted the other day about a fun breakfast that she had made and brought in for her coworkers to enjoy at Lilly Pulitzer.  The name alone, mini-maple-pancake-muffins, had me intrigued.  Then I went to the website and saw they had chocolate chips in them.  I just knew they had to be made!!  


Finally had the chance this morning and to say they are TDF is an understatement!  These are so yummy and so easy.  I can think of many variations and what great portion control.  Well, I must confess, the kids ate all 24!  Shh!!  Don't tell the good mommies out there!  


Here's one of my minnie's plates...

All four kids loved the pancake muffins.

Even the baby HAD to feed himself, because he didn't think I was feeding him fast enough!

Now, to yummy thing number two!

Erin designed this most beautiful Little Lilly Novelty Shift.  I know two minnies that must have it!!  The rosette detailing at the top is fantastic!  Pearl earrings will make the perfect and only accessory.  Well, maybe Mommy can be an accessory in this...

What do you think?  Both are perfect for Easter or any spring/summer party!

I just had to share these yummy things with you! 

TTFN

XOXO,

Kim

Times Like These

Do you ever feel like the world is crashing in on you?  That you are the only person who can take care of it all?! Well, then, STOP!!!  Who made you God?!  At times like these, rely on the One who created you in His image.  The One who will never give you more than you can handle, even if you doubt it!  Just don't doubt Him!  Take a minute, take a deep breath and pray for His will to be done.

Do you know how I know this is the right thing for me to be doing right now?  I've had a yucky morning and have been feeling down, too busy even to say thank you for this day.  I sat down at my computer, with no idea what to write about, and these words started to fill the page.  I started to feel at peace.  Quite literally the sun broke through the clouds!

I don't think there is much more to say, except thank you and God bless you all!

TTFN

XOXO,

Kim

Spring Project #1

Well, yesterday was a beautiful day!  Today, it looks like dreary winter again. Ugh!!  You just have to love springtime in the south.  So, to remind me of all the beautiful weather, I've decided to share with you a spring time craft I did yesterday.

What do you think?  It was amazing easily.  I just went to Hobby Lobby and found the bird cage and lots of fun silks -- all at 50% off!  I love it, because it will remind me of spring, but the colors aren't only for the spring.  I especially love the pop of turquoise, how very current!  Soon enough, though, I won't need the arrangement on the table.  I'll be able to look out the window and see all the glorious colors!


What special spring projects do you have in store?


TTFN


XOXO,


Kim

Ahh,,, Spring!!

It's a beautiful day here today and DH is working on many landscaping projects.  I have the windows open and am dreaming up all sorts of spring projects I can't wait to share with you.  Even took the baby with me to Hobby Lobby earlier to get ideas and buy materials. All of a sudden, I start to smell smoke.  Okay, so DH is burning, great I have the windows open!  The smell of smoke turns to the smell of Christmas,  that's when I knew it,  spring is here!!!  I always know it's spring, not because of the gorgeous weather or the blossoming of trees or plants.  I simply know it by the smell of burning Christmas trees!  Okay, are you a little confused?!  Well, DH takes down our Christmas tree every year no later than December 27 and promptly puts it out back to await his spring cleaning of the yard.  So, for several months, as I look outside at the gorgeous view of the woods, I also get to see the not so lovely dead Christmas tree.  My view is now clear and soon the trees and flowers will bud and all will be beautiful!  Be sure to come back in the next few weeks, as I will post pictures of the woods in all their majesty!


What spring projects do you have planned?  I would love to hear about them.  I will also share with you treats that I sent and received in a spring gift swap soon.  Just don't want to spoil the surprise for my partner.


TTFN


XOXO,


Kim

Toothless Fairy

Okay, so I thought I was ready for this...




I had already cut her umbilical cord five years earlier (beware, there is some blood in this picture).

I had even helped her pull out her two previous loose teeth with just a little hesitation, learning that I'm not much of a tooth person.  However, it was still a neat experience to share with my eldest minnie.  


Then last night happened.  My dear, sweet minnie lost her first upper front tooth!  I helped a little with this one, but she gave it the final tug all by herself.

See how proud she is?  At this point, I was really happy, too.  What a fun time in life.  Getting ready for the tooth fairy and all the hopes and dreams!  We put her tooth in its case and put it under her pillow.  The tooth fairy did come and left her a great little t-shirt.

It was this morning that shook me!  I looked at my sweet, little girl and saw the toothless grin of my baby no more.  She's growing into the princess she was meant to be, yes.  But, she's no longer the baby that relied on me for everything, even cutting the cord.  She's pulling her own teeth, cutting her own cord!  


What's next?!  I really don't want to think of all the other "cord cutting" moments we will have, but I know they are fast approaching!  I'm excited to see what all she will accomplish and sharing her with all the world.  Yet, there are times, I wish she was still inside my belly for only me to enjoy or even those first few months where I was her only world.


I loved my sweet minnie then

and I love my sweet minnie now

toothless, grown-up grin and all!

TTFN

XOXO,

Kim

Social Climbers

Boy, this day has flown by!  Yet, I feel like I haven't accomplished anything!!  


Well, I did finish the wonderful book, "Social Climbers," by the talented Beth Dunn.  You must read it, if you haven't already.  It really was a fun read and I finished it in about three nights, even with a one year old crawling all over me!  If you don't have time now, just save it for your pool or beach side reading.  A little guilty pleasure with a message.


Thank you, Beth, for writing such a fascinating read!  I look forward to seeing it on the big or little screen!!


TTFN!


XOXO,


Kim
 

Happy St Patrick's Day

Happy St Patrick's Day to all of you!  Our family really enjoys this day and will post pictures of the festivities tomorrow!  So far, the  younger two have had green eggs and ham and the oldest had green milk with his breakfast.  For dinner tonight, we will be having potato soup and "authentic" bangers.  Should be fun!


You know why I love St Patrick's Day so much?  It's all about being a little obnoxious and wearing one of my fav colors -- green!  It's just fun to be silly every once in a while.  Don't you think?  Can't wait for you to see my my new pedi -- all cute and green and sparkly!!  Even the minnies have green green sparkles on their toes!!


Well, time to get back to the festivities, as well as everything else!


TTFN!!


XOXO,


Kim

Together

Well, I think I'm on the verge of catching up from that one lost hour.  Still trying to figure out how one hour equates to almost an entire day, though.  Oh well, enough about that!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, husband and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on Sunday.  Twelve years, and four kids later, I still remember our wedding day with much love and many smiles.

I'll let you in on a secret, husband and I met the day after I turned 21 at a local bar.  Shh, don't tell the kids! ;)  Four years after we met, we FINALLY got married.  We took our time walking down the aisle and I think that made us a stronger and better couple.  We grew up together this way, he was working and I was in college.  In fact, we were married as I was working on my MBA.  Our wedding date, March 14, was chosen, because it was the first Saturday of Spring Break.  It also worked out well, because we both love St Patrick's Day, hence the green, white and gold wedding theme.

Here are a few pictures from that wonderful day...

Yes ladies, the throw garter was a Budweiser garter in the shape of a shamrock.  Can you tell I loved my husband?

We laughed so much that day.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture of his smile when he saw the garter.  Trust me, he was quite impressed!!

Here we are during our first dance.  Totally in love and not worrying about the rest of the world.

We really did have a fun day and the fun hasn't stopped!  We laugh together, we play together, we even fight together.  Yes, believe it or not, we're not perfect! ;)  But, we do it together.  Never loose sight of that.  You must do things together!  Not that you shouldn't have time to yourself, but you should always grow together.

Here we are 12 years, and four incredible kids, later.  Still trying to do things together...

DST, Ughh....

Any one, besides me, loose more than an hour this weekend?!  I still can't make it up!!  Hopefully, by tomorrow, I'll have this all figured out...


XOXO,


Kim

Happy Day

Today is my husband's and my 12th anniversary, so I want to spend the day with him and the family!


Go love your family, too!


XOXO,


Kim 

Will There Ever be Sun?!

It's raining, again!!!  I know I shouldn't complain, but I really would like to see the sun!  Maybe soon...


Today has been a little hectic, DH had to work most of the morning, so the kids and I ran a bunch of errands and started to pick up the house.  Oh, the glorious life we lead!  Don't get me wrong, we really are blessed and I know it!! Days like this just make it hard to remember sometimes.


Okay, I'm not going to sit here and gripe.  I'm going to get off this computer and find a way to make it a better day!  What are your favorite rainy day activities?  Maybe you can spark some creativity in me today...


XOXO,


Kim

Friday Fun

Well, here it is another rainy Friday.  Been a very busy day and I wanted to share with you the best part of it --Easter pictures with Ken Rada for the kids! 

Just love that he has the bunnies again this year.  If you live in Georgia, I highly recommend you check Ken out.  I could post a million pictures, but thought this one summed up the day!  Can you see the happiness and love? 




XOXO,


Kim

Spring IS almost here, right?!

I keep telling myself spring is right around the corner, even have been buying spring/summer clothes for all of us to enjoy the warmer, lazier days.  Yet, I look outside and see cold rain.  I know April (well, in this case March) showers bring May flowers, but this weather is getting the best of me.  Spring, where are you?!  I want flip-flops and dresses!!!


Well, hopefully it will be warmer and sunnier tomorrow!  It has to be, because the kids are having their Easter pictures taken.  We can do it in the studio, but it would be really fun to get some neat outdoor shots, too.  Especially with the bunnies!  Can't wait to share them with you.


Sorry to cut this short, but it's time for me to get back to school with the older two.  Wait, maybe I should be asking if it's summer yet...


XOXO,


Kim

Photographic Memories

Recently I was contacted by Kodak to do a survey that was linking pictures with feelings.  It was a great experience for me and I think I may have gotten even more out of it than Kodak.  I had to sit down and think why photos are so important to me.  Simply put, they are my family's history. 


Ken Rada and I were even talking about this yesterday.  It's amazing how fast the children grow and how important it is to document these changes.  They only happen once, we can't go back and capture that moment again.  There are other ways to capture those moments, through words and through keepsakes, but photos seem to always hold a special place.  I have a wall upstairs that contains nothing but photos, I would share a picture, but am embarrassed to admit the baby doesn't have any pictures up there yet.  I have the pictures ready to go, but just haven't added them yet.  What makes this wall so interesting is that it really is a time capsule.  Most of the pictures are from even before Ittybit (now 3).  I even have Ty's milestone pictures up there, yes I know he's 10 now, but I can't bare to take any of the pictures down and update it.  I just keep adding photos.  I'm sure there will come a day when those pictures will come down, but I'm not ready to let go of that history yet.


Just recently, we took down "belly shots" of me that were in Ittybit's room.  There were four of them, each with the older kids and even one with my husband.  I actually cried when they came down, but also realized Ittybit might like to have some of herself.  For now, she has her name in gold letters above her bed -- quite the star!  The pictures now sit in my closet and I'm perplexed what to do.  I thought about hanging them in our room, but for now, I think they'll stay in the closet.  That way, when I want, I can look back in time and remember when...


Family history is important to me, as you well have guessed.  Here is the hallway leading to our room and the laundry room.

These are our children's baptismal outfits.  Even the matting matches the ink from their baptismal announcements.  I walk by these everyday and remember those special moments.  For me, these are as special as the photos that were taken at those events with the bonus of not having to see myself a few weeks after giving birth! :)


I hope I have shared something with you that makes you think about what pictures mean to you and you learn something new about yourself.  I know I did.  Part of the reason this blog was started was because of the questions that were asked in the survey.


XOXO,


Kim


I wanted to let everyone know I received my order from the Pink Paddock yesterday and I was very happy with it.  Especially since I was phone shopping with Kim and was trusting her judgement completely.  She even threw in a few surprises, which the kids and I really enjoyed!

If you have a Lilly Pulitzer need, please contact them!

Layla Grace

I was going to write about my own kids, but have chosen to write about a sweet girl, Layla Grace, who lost her battle with cancer today.  No, I never knew this girl and had just recently learned of her courageous fight.  Still, she and her family touched my heart.  Through her short life, she touched so many and I pray her family finds comfort in that.   I pray they can find the strength to accept God's plan, a strength I'm not sure I have and pray I'm never tested to discover.


I don't pretend to know what the family is going through, this is a pain few understand.  But, we also need to be reminded of the good that came from her short life.  Perhaps new and better research for childhood cancer, maybe a stronger relationship with God -- by reading the family's blog, that is the case with them -- maybe even something as simple as a few extra moments to gaze in amazement at the beauty of life.  


Layla Grace lived a very brief time on this earth, but she will live on in the memory not only of her own family, but all of those who joined in her community on Facebook and Twitter.


Love your family and friends with all your heart!  Be grateful for all that you have been given!  At least for today, do this in memory of a little girl who brought a community together and is now "playing with the angles."  As posted on Twitter regarding her passing.


XOXO,


Kim

Waiting...

Today seems to be a day of waiting.  Waiting on inspiration for this blog, waiting for the eldest to be done with school, waiting to get energy to pick up, excitedly, (yet, still waiting) for a couple of packages to show up, waiting, waiting, waiting...


I really hate days like this, but somehow, I know I'll make it through and have something to show for it.  I know I really should get up and get some stuff done.  If I continue to sit here and wait, I'm going to miss out on something important, I just know it!  So, what am I going to do?  Going to get off this computer and do some things around the house, including loving on my kids.  They should never have to wait for that!


XOXO,


Kim

Fun Day Review

Yesterday was a great day!  What made it truly wonderful was spending it with my Ty.  He's getting older now and wants to do his own thing.  So, I found it pretty special he wanted to do something with me.  Something, it turned out, we both really enjoyed.  I pray there will be more fun days like this!

Alice in Wonderland in IMAX was beyond awesome!  Johnny Depp is the Mad Hatter.  Yes, we all know he plays the Mad Hatter in the movie, but he actually IS the Mad Hatter.  At least the one I envision in my mind.  Those eyes.  Please understand, I don't actually like Johnny Depp, but he sure can act!!  He was perfect, as was everyone else in the movie.  The effects were great and the 3D didn't give me a headache.  Ty thought the movie was great,too.  It wasn't as dark or as scary as I thought it might be, but still wouldn't take little ones.  If you see it, please tell me what you think!


Here's a picture of Ty right after the movie was over...

Now, on to Krispy Kreme.  The banana donuts were very tasty.  They have one filled with banana cream and topped with crushed vanilla wafers and the other is a banana cake donut with a caramel topping -- both equally yummy.  Truly though, can Krispy Kreme go wrong?!  If you have never tasted a hot Krispy Kreme donut, I feel for you.  They are the best and I highly recommend you seek out the closest store -- even if it calls for a road trip!!!  See what I mean?


This is the banana cream donut...

Here's the banana cake donut...

Here we are at the end of our donut eating spree!

We even went grocery shopping after this and were able to save 47%.  Not a bad way to end a great day with a great guy!

Gotta run, off to brunch with Nana, Daniel, Brandy and their little one, Dylan!

XOXO,

Kim