Wednesday's at the pool...

Wednesdays at the pool have been a fun part of our weekly summer routine. We have a pool in our neighborhood, but it really isn't fun for us to go to the pool without our friends. Plus, mommy really doesn't know what to do with TWO girls (one who can't even sit up) at the pool. On Wednesdays, it is "guest day" at the pool in town where many families from our church belong. There are several of us who meet there every Wednesday for swimming, lunch, and great fellowship.

Pool days make us very tired...but it's a good kind of tired.

Wordless Wednesday

3 months

Camille,

I can't believe how fast you are growing and changing. You are already grabbing your toes,

sitting in your Bumbo seat,

and rolling over (no pictures...she's been rolling from her belly to her back, but yesterday rolled the other way)!

You "talk" up a storm, and we are all madly in love with you. Thank you, Jesus, for this precious little gift.

Thankfulness revisited

I think I made my position on thankfulness pretty clear in this post. However, I've been having a lot more thoughts on this topic recently, partly triggered by these...

I love weddings. I've been in a lot of them, attended even more of them, and planned several of them (not the least of which was my own). I am a detail person, and I am asked a lot for wedding advice, which frequently snowballs into me being a wedding coordinator. I don't mind. I like doing it. For some, I am a consultant only (I don't attend the wedding). For some, I only attend the wedding (and just make sure everything goes smoothly that day). For others, I plan everything from the music to the decorations to directing the MC at the reception. I don't charge anything because, again, I enjoy doing it, and I believe God has given me this gift to bless others.

I love when a wedding shows the personality of the couple. If they are musicians, the music should be live and lovely. If they are artistic, the programs should showcase some of their talent. If they love horses, why not ride in on one (for an outdoor wedding of course)? You get the point. I've planned some where I love everything they choose and some where I am shocked by how different our taste is....there really is a lot of subjectivity in what is beautiful.

In planning something as intimate and life changing as a wedding, you get to know the couple (or family) well. I find that I come to respect them more or lose respect for them as we go along. There are challenges with almost every one. Sometimes it is a clash of personalities (family dynamics), sometimes it is a tight budget, and sometimes I am contacted at the last minute when things are just not going well and there is too much to do with too little time. Sometimes it is all of the above. Some couples care about every detail (um, that would be us), and some just want someone to make decisions for them and show up on the day. What the particular challenge is is not nearly as important as how they face it.

For as varied as the couples and styles of weddings are, there are equal number of variations on thankfulness. For some, after I've put in HOURS of work, it would be nice to at least get a card. I know I shouldn't expect anything, but I struggle with feeling I have been taken advantage of when someone doesn't even take the time to write a thank you. Sometimes, not even a thank you for the wedding gift (if it's someone I know personally). I know that it is not personal, but it still bugs me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the most recent wedding I planned. Not because everything was easy and smooth, but because the family was truly thankful, and gracious. The bride and her mother each sent me heartfelt cards of thanks, which was more than enough (especially since the bride did some free babysitting for me). However, the bride's mother came for a visit this week and brought me the salt and pepper shakers above and some dinner plates. They match my set of pottery that we use every day. The company that makes it is located in Maine, and she was there visiting her parents. She called my mom to get ideas of pieces I might need (a few of my dinner plates broke). This is one of the most thoughtful and personal gifts I have received. The card (and babysitting...because I really was thankful for that) really would have been enough, but I am humbled by their thoughtfulness. Thank you Bloomberg family. Helping you was a pleasure.

For more "weekend thoughts" visit Crystal's blog...

Wordless Wednesday

She still loves it...

Tiny Talk Tuesday

A: "I'm going to cook something and it will be very, very hot."

_____________

Adeline taking grapes off of a bunch...one of them still had a stem attached...

A: "Mommy, I can't open this grape."

_____________

Adeline loves to sit on the sink in our bathroom when I am putting on makeup. Patrick just rolls his eyes as she names all the items (she's such a girl). My favorite is "EYE liner!!!" Sometimes I give her a little bit of lotion to dab on her cheeks. She turns her head back and forth admiring herself in the mirror and says, "I look pretty!!!"

One day after I put on my makeup and reviewed the names of each thing with her, I found her "on the phone" in my bedroom. This was the conversation...

A: "Hi mascara. How are you?....... Are you good? Hi mascara!!!"

_______________________

Camille starts screaming in the playroom...

Me: "Adeline, did you make Camille fuss?"

A: "yeah....I was changing her diaper."

Me: "Where did you hurt her?"

A: "Her face."

Me: "What did you do to her face?"

A: "I spanked her." "I'm sorry Camille...."

Well at least you're sorry for hitting her and making her scream....yeah, mommy somehow didn't think that was enough penance.

_______________________

Daddy: "It's dark in here (when putting Adeline to bed). I can't see you. Oh wait, here's your head, and your arms, and your belly, and your legs (tickling her)."

A: "and here's my pO pO and my girl parts."

Yeah, daddy...why skip from the belly to legs? There are parts in between there......I just love her innocence.

Head over to Mary's for more tiny talkers.

Backyards BBQ

No, that wasn't a typo in the title. Our friends, the Salada's and the Swartz's live next door to each other (and praise God, only about a mile from us). This was the second year they hosted a "backyards BBQ" that spanned both of their backyards and invited everyone in our church to attend. We all had a blast, but Adeline....well, it was like her birthday and Christmas all wrapped in one.

No, you can't have her. She's mine...

there was sand....and of course, Linus....

I KNOW!!!

The grill masters....Duncan on the left and Rob on the right.

She had a hotdog, fruit and "noodles" while eating at a table just her size...

This is Lucy...we love her too.

No, you can't have him either. I'm loving his new plaid shorts. You can't see them well here, so you're just going to have to trust me...they're hot. Oh wait, see picture #1.

And THEN....as if the sandbox, friends, yummy food, sliding board and seesaw weren't enough, she had a cookie and listened to story time. She. loved. every. minute.

Sunday Finest

Adeline is learning to smile for the camera...

Here's one from last week.

Cream 'N Peaches Cake

After you make these...this dessert is the perfect ending for a wonderful meal.

This picture doesn't do the cake justice. It is another of my favorite desserts. Perfect for this time of year....

Cream 'N Peaches Cake

1 pkg butter flavor cake mix

1 1/4 cup sugar

4 TBSP cornstarch

4 cups chopped fresh peaches

1/2 cup water

2 cups whipping cream

2-3 TBSP powdered sugar

*you can also use Cool Whip instead of making the cream*

1 cup sour cream

Prepare cake according to package using two 8" cake pans. Cool and split each layer. Combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add the peaches and water. Cook over med heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and thickened. Cool completely. Combine whipping cream and powdered sugar; beat until stiff peaks form (or use Cool Whip). Spoon 1/3 of peach filling over split layer of cake; spread 1/3 cup sour cream over filling. Repeat layers ending with cake layer. Frost with cream.

Lynn's extra tip: I've found this dessert assembles much better if the cake and peach mixture are refrigerated before assembly.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos

My friend, Sarah, gave me this recipe. No, not THAT Sarah....although she does cook a lot of yummy stuff. This one doesn't blog, but I still love her. ;o) It tastes fresh, looks beautiful, and is just plain delicious.

Black Bean/ Sweet Potato Burritos

3-4 large sweet potatoes

2 cans black beans

1 red onion

large bunch of cilantro, chopped

juice of 2 limes

1 box cherry tomatoes, halved

2 pkg large tortilla shells

2 pkg monterey jack cheese (I took this to mean about 4 cups)

Peel and dice sweet potatoes. Coat with olive oil and bake at 400 degrees for about 30 min or until soft and browned. Combine filling ingredients (including half of the cheese). Stuff and roll the tortillas and place in greased 9x13 pan. Cover with the remaining cheese and bake uncovered 10-12 min or until cheese is melted and tortillas are slightly browned.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

A: Turning her empty plate and bowl upside down...."They went nigh night."

____________________

Me: (talking to Patrick) "Would you like a piece of blueberry pie, love?"

A: "I want some blueberry love!"

___________________

A: "I want to see the airplane port!!!" said after we saw some airplanes and explained to her that we were driving close to the airport.

___________________

A: "I want to ride in the van car."

(yes, people, we have arrived....)

A Giveaway!!!

I saw this at Andrea's blog and thought it was a great idea (not to mention the fact that she is incredibly talented....seriously, this can only work out well for me). 5 lucky (or brave) people will be getting something made by me, for you. Intriguing?

The first five people to leave a comment on this post will get something handmade from me. But in return, you have to do the same thing on your blog and make something for five other people. The details are as follows, and if you want to play, copy the following onto your blog and leave me a post:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. What you get is what you get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying.
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address – after I contact you.

Are you in? You know you want to...

***If you are not a blogger, you can post this on your facebook page...or come up with another way to "share the love."

Sunday Finest--Grandparent edition

It has been a while since I've posted my girls in all their Sunday finery.

Pat's mom came to visit after church...

and then we met my parents at the harbor for dinner...

This was our best family picture...no, really.

Adeline was mesmerized by the dragon boats...

...but wanted no part in going on one.

B & N had a train display.

...and let's not forget the books!!!