Weekend Words of Wisdom

Hi all!  As previously posted, the eldest two kids start their lessons on Monday.  That is why I chose the following quote for this weekend:

What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child. ~George Bernard Shaw

TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Last Weekend...

Hi all and welcome to another fun filled weekend!!  Well, at least everywhere, but at my house.  The kids start back to school Monday and Eldest Son is none too impressed.  Eldest Daughter, on the other hand, can't wait. 

I know many of you must think I'm crazy having the kids start back to school so early, but it really isn't all that early here.  In fact, our county schools start August 9th.  Just wanted to let y'all know it may take some time for me to find the balance that works best for all of us and blogging may be a little crazy.  Know that I'll do my best, but please cut me some slack for a couple of weeks!!  Besides, I have a fun giveaway in the works I think y'all will enjoy that I will announce next week. 

Well, I'm going to enjoy these last few "lazy" days.  TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Oodles and Oodles of Snickerdoodles

Hi all!  Hope your week has been going well.  I'm still on my baking rampage, so last night, I made the following snickerdoodle recipe for the kids' swim instructors and for us, of course.  I simply doubled the recipe and it worked out great.  These are some of the best snickerdoodles I have ever tasted.  These are the same ones I made for Eldest Son when he was away at camp and even one of his cabinmates said I was a better baker than his mom.  Here you go...

Snickerdoodles

Cookies:
1/2 C butter, room temp
1/2 C shortening
1-1/2 C white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2-3/4 C flour
2 tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Topping:
2 Tblsp white sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400.  Cream together butter, shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla.  Add the dry ingredients until incorporated.  Mix the ingredients for the topping in a shallow dish or plate.

Roll rounded tsp sized pieces of dough into balls and roll in the topping.  Pleace 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes until just set.  Leave on baking sheet for no more than 2 minutes and then remove cookies to a cooling rack.  The cookies should be soft with a small crunch around the edges.  Enjoy!!

Wordless Wednesday -- My Mermaid

XOXO,

Kim

The Evolution of a Family Picture!

Hi all!  Hope you like the new header picture and, of course, it was taken by Ken Rada.  What I want to do today is explain the evolution of this photo -- it was a year in the making!!!

It started when I found this jon jon online at In the Pink

Unfortunately, they only had it in a size 12-18 month and Baby Bubba was only about 5 months old, but I had to have it.  I also found Eldest Daughter's shorts on the site (her top is from The Pink Paddock)

and, I believe, Eldest Son's shirt is from there, as well.

Then I found my pants at Belk in Atlanta, of course they were about 4 sizes too big, but I had to have them.  Thank goodness for a GREAT tailor!!  My top is from Lilly Pulitzer Southlake.  Husband's shirt is from Under the Palm Tree and Ittybit's top is from Persnickity Palm, I believe.

So, a year and six Lilly stores later, we have a new family picture and header for this blog!  Thank you to all who helped in this task.  Did you ever think one picture could take so long and involve so many people?! ;-)  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Monogram Love

Hi all!  Hope your week is off to a great start.  Well, last week ended on a great note, so I know this week will also be fun!  I received these delightful Stephen Bonanno sandals in the mail on Friday, and just can't keep from salivating. 

I love that I can wear them practically year round, save for those bitterly cold months! 

Now, I'm thinking I need to order a pair of clogs in black and red for Eldest Son's football games and Eldest Daughter's cheering.  Probably a pair like this

What do you think?  You can check out more great designs, as well as some other wonderful monogrammed gifts, at The Pink Giraffe.  I have bought several items (including the above sandals) from them and am always happy with their service.

Also, if you "like" The Pink Giraffe on facebook, between now and August 2, you will be enterd to win a $25 gift certificate.  They are also on Twitter.

Just wanted to share this with you and let you know about another great place for your monogrammed gifts.  You know me, I love to share great customer service experiences, and they rank high!  Also, The Pink Giraffe in no way influenced me to write this post, unless you consider their great service an influence.

You must also visit Miss Janice's blog for the cutest GRITS giveaway!!


XOXO,

Kim

National Tequila Day Words of Wisdom

Hi all and welcome to the weekend edition of words of wisdom.  Seeing as today (Saturday) is National Tequila Day.  I thought I would share this funny quote:

Computers have enabled people to make more mistakes faster than almost any invention in history, with the possible exception of tequila... -Mitch Ratcliffe

Don't believe me about National Tequila Day?!  Just go to Wiki and read up on all you may want to know about tequila, and then some!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Friday Follow Fun

Hi all and welcome to another beautiful Friday!  Today is especially wonderful, because Bethany from Maryland Pink and Green asked if I would like to host Friday Follow with her.  How could I ever turn such a fun request down?!  I hope you will join us and meet some new friends along the way.  Now, each week Bethany has tried to reach at least 50 bloggers, let's try to reach that goal, if not surpass it!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Happy Friday! Welcome to Kim from My Life Through Pink (Green and Blue, too) Colored Glasses for hosting today's blog hop with Maryland Pink and Green. She is so sweet and has the most adorable family.

Just like last week, on today's blog hop you only need to link your blog to the list once and you can add it on any of the 2 blogs hosting the Follow Friday.

Blog readers will see the same list on all of the blogs and will be able to "hop" from blog to blog. What a fun way to find new friends! If you have not joined previous weeks, be sure to add your blog to the list today. Even if you've already added your blog on another blog hop, add your name to the list today since every week is a new list. Find new blogs to follow and be sure to follow the lovely hostesses of the blog hop. Be sure to follow someone who follows you and let them know that you found them through Follow Friday.










Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click for instructions and code…

Time Machine

Hi all and a happy Thursday to you.  Are you getting ready for another fun filled weekend?  We have lots of football things to do and a photo shoot with our dear friend, Ken Rada.  This works out perfectly, because Ken will able to document Eldest Daughter's newest accomplishment -- learning to swim!

Well, as you know, I've been driving kids all over towm to various camps and classes the past few weeks.  Again, it's a good thing Husband bought me a much larger SUV.  I promise, as soon as I get all the new "bling" for it, I will post pictures of it.  Also have to wait for the road construction to be over, so I can get it washed!!  But, I digress...

Yesterday, after dropping Eldest Son off at his class, I was all alone in this huge vehicle.  I mean it was really quiet and I had no one to talk to, so weird.  What to do?!  Well, I was transported back to the late 80's in my magical time machine -- you thought it was only an SUV -- through the wonders of XM/Sirius radio.  Gotta love the 80's station and Hair Band station.  There I was, one second the conservative mom of four in her quintessential mommy car, the next I was all of 16 or 17 singing at the top of my lungs to music that was much too loud!  I had to pretend I didn't see the two carseats in the back, but that was okay.  It really was fun to have a few minutes to go back in time like that. 

So, what do you do when you are alone in your car?  I would love to hear!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Wordless Wednesday -- Cheer Style

Hi all!  Please excuse the quality of these pictures, as they were taken in a gym with some of the worst lighting I have ever seen.  TTFN.

First day of cheer camp.  Love her preppy style!

Cheer Program

XOXO,

Kim

Football Weather?!

Hi all!  Hope your week has been off to a good start.  It's been crazy, hectic here -- oh well.  It's hard to believe football season is already upon us.  Which means our life is about to be even more out of control with football practices 4 days a week until school starts, then down to three nights a week.  It may sound like I'm complaining, but, secretly, I love it!!!  This year is going to be even more demanding with Eldest Daughter also cheering.  Surprisingly, they only practice for about two hours a week and won't even start until school starts (somewhere around August 9).  Prepare yourself for LOTS of fun pictures.

Well, need to get to some homework with the older two.  I have them in reading/study skills courses and can't wait to see their improvement.  Will let you know how that goes, as well.  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

For Shame!

Hi all and welcome to another new week!  Again, way too much happening here, but I know all will be well. 

Last Thursday, one of the local news stations asked a question about marketing maternity wear to teenagers.  I thought this had to be a joke, possibly a way to boost ratings.  To my dismay, it turns out to be true!!!!  Forever 21, a store that markets to teens and young adults, is launching a maternity line.  What is happening?!

Back in the dark ages, when I attended high school, I never would have dreamed of the day when teen pregnancy would be glamorized.  Okay, so it was the early 1990's and we were all afraid of AIDS and it was a parochial high school, still...

I remember there was one girl who did find herself "in trouble" and she was quickly sent away.  She had the baby and gave it up for adoption, a tough choice, but right by the child. She did return the next year, but only for a few months.  It seems her "secret" wasn't so secret and she was ashamed.  Good for her!  Where is the shame now? 

We have been told our children can't play sports where scores are kept, where each child must have the same number of Easter eggs in their basket.  Why?  Where are the consequences for actions?  It just keeps going.  I'm truly scared to see what is next. 

We've already glamorized having a baby out of wedlock, without a father to be had.  Now, let's set the bar even lower and tell the young girls, hey look, if you get yourself knocked up, you can wear these really cute clothes!!!!  Can you tell I have an opinion?  This isn't good for our girls, this isn't good for our country.  It's time we take a conservative stand and remind our girls this isn't right.  It isn't all fun and games and, most importantly, there are consequences to our actions.  I'm sure I'll receive some not so nice remarks, but I put this out there and accept that consequence to my action! 

I understand this is simply a line of clothing, but I believe it to be totally unacceptable.  Teens who find themselves in this situation, shouldn't be worrying about what looks cute and shows off their baby bump.  They should be worrying about how to make sure their child ends up with the best care -- pre and post natal.  They should realize the true consequences and relaize it isn't all about fashion, it's about a life! 

For shame on Forever 21 for supporting such idiocy!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Weekend Words of Wisdom

A happy summer weekend to all!

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world."

-Ada Louise Huxtable

May everyone's weekend be so wonderful!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Tomato Pie?!

Hi all and welcome to another fabulous Friday!!! Back at Easter, Lori from Shopaholic in Alabama posted her family's recipe for tomato pie and I was intrigued. We made it for Easter brunch and it was so very yummy. Well, with all the fresh tomatoes out, I decided I wanted to make it again, but couldn't find her recipe. So, I tried to remember what I could and also used Paula and Bobby (lighter recipe) Deen's recipes and this is what I came up with. Please do try it, as it's surprisingly good. This coming from someone who really isn't a tomato lover.



Tomato Pie


1 refrigerated pie crust (I used Pillsbury)


Good Parmesan/Romano Cheese blend


1-1.25 lbs fresh tomatoes* cut into slices


1/2 of a medium Vidalia onion cut into thin strips


10 chopped fresh basil leaves

1 Cup reduced fat mayo (I use Hellmann's Light)

1 Cup grated cheddar cheese

1 Cup Italian blend (I used Sargento 4 cheese Italian reduced fat)

A few drops of hot sauce

Bake pie crust according to box directions (Bake just until slightly golden, as it will be going back into the oven.) Take pie crust out of the oven and add Parm/Romano blend cheese to bottom -- enough to coat the bottom of the crust and let cool.


While baking pie crust, slice tomatoes and let drain on paper towels. Slice onion and chop basil leaves. Make topping by combining mayo, cheeses and hot sauce.


Preheat oven to 350.


Layer half the tomatoes, onions and bail in pie crust and repeat layers with the other half. Spread the mayo and cheese topping over top making sure to cover. Bake for about 1 hour or until lightly browned.**


Cut into slices and serve warm.

*Note: Be adventerous, go to your local farmer's market and see what variety of tomatoes they have for sale. Last time, I forget what variety I used, but the one tomato I used weighed about 1.25 lbs and was delicious!!

**Note: Most recipes say 30 minutes, but it seems like it always takes an hour for me to bake.



Hope y'all have fun baking and can't wait to hear what you think. TTFN!


XOXO,

Kim

Bridal Cookbook

Hi all and happy Thursday to you!  Boy has this week flown, probably because I haven't had a moment to rest.  Y'all may remember my earlier post about being a  stressed baker.  That is, when I'm under a lot of stress, I bake.  Well that still continues, but I've now found a way to help someone out.  

At the beginning of spring, Lori at Shopaholic in Alabama and Bethany at Maryland Pink and Green hosted a spring gift exchange where I was partnered with Erica at Fashion Meets Food.  It turns out that Erica will soon be getting married, like in a few weeks soon.  Can you imagine the stress or do you remember the stress of those last few weeks before the big day?  I know I still do.  Well, Erica is throwing herself a virtual bridal share and is simply requesting a recipe or two for her bridal cookbook.  I absolutely adore this idea, as I know I relied on my bridal cookbook for quite sometime, still even make some of the recipes!  So, simply visit her blog and help the poor girl out!  I know we all have some wisdom we could share!  TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Praying Mantis Update

Hi all! Hope your week is going well!! Crazy busy here, but wanted to make sure I shared this with y'all. Back at Easter, you may remember, my mom gave Eldest Son a praying mantis kit. If not, you can go HERE to read the prior post. Well, after we released the insects I was sure that was the last of it.


Fast forward a few months, as we are sitting down to dinner, and here's what you get...

Thanks Insect Lore for having such great products!! Again, Insect Lore didn't pay us in any way to share this with you, I just thought you might like to know. TTFN.






XOXO,


Kim

Blueberry Bonanza

Hi all!  Today I thought I'd share a couple of recipes with you for some wonderful blueberry treats.  My princesses love blueberries so much, we have even planted them a couple of bushes.  The one we planted last year has given us enough berries to make both of these treats and the girls have been delighted.  Can't wait to see what next year brings!!

Blueberry Muffins

1-1/2 Cups flour
3/4 Cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/3 Cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 Cup milk
1 C fresh blueberries

Crumb Topping:

1/2 Cup sugar
1/3 C whole wheat flour
1/4 C almost melted butter
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
*Mix the crumb topping ingredients together with a fork


Preheat oven to 400.  Line muffin tin with liners or grease.

Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl.  In another small bowl, combine vegetable oil, egg and milk.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix.  Lightly fold in blueberries.  Fill muffin tins about 3/4 full and then top with the crumb topping.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.


Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 Cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick butter at room temp
1 Cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/4 Cup milk (possibly a couple more dashes)
2 tsp vanilla
1 Cup white chocolate chips
1 Cup fresh blueberries

In a medium bowl, combine first three ingredients.  In another medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with a hand mixer.  And egg, then milk.  Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients by hand and fold in the blueberries.  Chill the dough in fridge for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375.

Drop by tsp onto cookie sheet and bake about 15 minutres, until golden around the edges.

Cool on a wire rack and eat within a few days.

These cookies are best eaten as quickly as possible, as they tend to get soggy after a few days.  They are very much like eating a muffin top.  For this recipe, I must give credit to Giada De Laurentis, as I used her Almond Blueberry Cookie recipe as my inspiration.


Hope these recipes inspire you!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Monday Laugh

Hi all and welcome to a new week full of new possibilities!  I stole borrowed this from T at Desperately Seeking Seersucker, as I thought it's always great to start the week with a laugh...

So, what's addicted to you?  Me, well it's shopping.  Clothes and shoes and just about anything fun cling to me and beg me to take them to a good home!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Weekend Words of Wisdom

Hi all and a happy weekend to you! Hope you enjoy this weekend's installment of words of wisdom.

It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge. ~ Phyllis Diller

Not so sure about the violence part, or even the poverty. But disorder, oh yes, orderly chaos reigns supreme in this home!!! Even as I type this, Baby Bubba has, once again, torn up my desk!!!! TTFN.


XOXO,

Kim

Friday Fun!

Hi all!  Hope your Friday is off to a wonderful start!  We're busy here, but what else is new?  What scares me the most is starting next week we will be even busier!!  Where will I fit it all in?!  I'm sure I'll figure it out, but hope all of you have an understanding heart if I miss a day here or there. 

How busy will I be?  Well, Eldest Son has football camp during the day and Eldest Daughter has Cheer Camp in the evenings.  There are also swimming lessons for the girls and, oh yes, Eldest Son will be starting a class one night a week, with Eldest Daughter to follow the next week.  What was I thinking?!  Thank goodness Husband bought me a Yukon XL, as I think I will be living out of it for the next few weeks!!  I'll share pictures of my new bus soon, I'm just waiting on a couple of monogrammed treats from 2 Preppy Girls.

Well, now that I have exhausted myself just reading this, I'm off to "relax!"  Sure, I am....  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

An Award for All of Us!

Hi all and happy Thursday to you!  Just a few more days and another weekend will be here.  I just love short weeks.  What about you? 

Recently, Prissy and Preppy Flamingo bestowed upon me the sweetest award!

Now, the rules originally said you had to state 10 little known facts about yourself and give this award to 10 other bloggers.  Well, it wasn't that long ago I did something similar, so I'm changing the rules up!  Hope you have fun with this!!  First, I want you to list 10 things for which you are grateful (no it doesn't have to be in a particular order) then share it wth all your readers.  Simple, huh?  No chosing just 10 bloggers, it's for everyone to play! 

So, here are 10 things for which I am grateful:

1.  My husband and children -- they are my EVERYTHING!

2.  My parents, without them, I wouldn't be here.  Think about that! 

3.  All of my extended family who loves me for me.

4.  My friends, even the ones who call me out. Don't they know I'm perfect?! ;-)



 5. I am able to home school the kids -- I get to see SO much through their eyes. What an honor!



 6. Little surprises along the way.



7.  The feel of warm sunshine on my face.  And the feel of sunburn on my shoulders!
 
8.  That Husband installed a paging system in our home -- no more screaming for kiddos!
 
9.   Busy summer days and the routine of school come August!
 
10.  For all of you, my blogger friends!
 
Can't wait to see your grateful list!!  TTFN.
 
XOXO,
 
Kim

Dining Room Dreams

Hi all!  Hope you are having another wonderful week.  With all the family festivites going on here, it got me to thinking about dining rooms.  More to the point, a casaul set for our basement bar.  Maybe something like this

or this, as you know I have a big family!

Dining room furniture is such a special thing to me.  It reminds me of time spent with family, either sharing a meal, a treat, or even a secret.  What about you?  Where do you spend the most time with your loved ones?  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

My Little Patriot!

Hi all!  Hope your 4th was splendid!  We had a lot of fun here, well except for Baby Bubba (in turn, myself) missing all the fireworks.  Oh well, there'a always next year... 

As you know, Eldest Daughter turned six on July 1st. 

Just what could she be wishing?!  She never told!

She received several gift cards.  So, what does a good mom do?  Take her shopping, of course!  This momentous occassion, two days worth mind you, was caught on camera for the world to enjoy.  This is big, Eldest Daughter finally got to sign her own name to a credit card purchase!!!  Got to love Visa gift cards.  So with out further ado, please scroll through the pictures, as Eldest Daughter tries to help stimualte the economy.  Oh, she make's here momma proud...

The big moment!  Yes, that's her Starbucks right beside her!

So proud of all of her Strawberry Shortcake finds.  Ittybit just hopes she can play,too!

Day two and another gift card!  Yes, we were SO patriotic trying to help our economy on the 4th of July!

Another huge bag of goodies!  This time Barbie!!

I hope you have enjoyed our patriotism and will personally thank Eldest Daughter for doing her part to stimulate our economy!  Good night and God Bless!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Weekend Words of Wisdom, 4th of July Style

Hi all!  Welcome to a fabulous Fourth of July weekend!!  Here are the words of wisdom for this weekend...

Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty.

Abraham Lincoln

May you have a wonderful time with your friends and family and please don't forget about those who sacrificed four our independence!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Happy Birthday and Winner Announced

Hi all!  Well, today's the day -- the day Eldest Daughter turns six!!  I'm so happy for her and, yet, sad for me.  She's growing up much too fast.  Okay, so I'm not going to cry, instead I'm going to share some pictures from earlier this morning when she had her Birthday breakfast of waffles with chocolate syrup, complete with six candles!

After breakfast, we held the drawing for the stationery giveaway and here's how that went...

Congrats to Desperately Seeking Seersucker!  If y'all haven't checked out her blog, please do.  She's just the most darling and has the cutest westie in the world, Louis. 

Well, I must run.  TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim