National Book Lovers Day

I know that I don't usually post on Thursday, BUT, today is 

National Book Lovers Day.

I just wanted to share what I have been reading, you know, other than all of the fabulous Blogs that I subscribe to.... 

Yes.... I am on that Bandwagon right now!!  

I'm on book three (Fifty Shades Freed) and love it.  

While we were camping the other week, I actually woke up before everyone and decided to read until they woke up.  

That's just NOT like me... I LOVE my sleep.

Any way, so what are you reading?  

Happy Thursday, see you all tomorrow.

Random Wednesday... Girl Scouts ; )

Happy Wednesday!  

My daughter is a Girl Scout Daisy (Daisy's are Kindergarten and First Graders), and our project for the month was for her to make cupcakes all by herself.

First off... Gracie LOVES to bake and help in the kitchen, so this was right down her alley.  However, she had to use a recipe (from a cute cookbook "Dora & Diego Let's Cook") and bake the cupcakes 

FROM SCRATCH!

No Sweat.... I did help a little getting the ingredients together and then making sure that the batter was mixed thoroughly.  But other than putting them in and out of the oven... 

she did it, all by herself!!!

Here is Little Miss Chef with all of her Ingredients:

 Don't let her fool you.... she is soooo not reading the ingredients list.  

She told me to take this picture.  

Finally got to the Mixing Stage.... Her Favorite Part.

Almost ready for the oven... I can not guarantee that NO fingers were dipped or licked while filling the cupcake liners (that's the best part).

The Cupcakes were suppose to be decorated like Turtles.  Hmmm, you decide.

Here is one of the finished Turtles.

If anyone would like the recipe, just let me know.... since the cupcakes were from scratch there were just too many ingredients to list (I'm feeling lazy today).

However, the cupcake was actually VERY good, and they are made with Wheat Flour.  I'm thinking that that makes them better for you?  Or is that just a mental thing? 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Random Wednesday... Scenes from my Weekend.

Wednesday Again... 

And the Olympics are underway.  

Unfortunately, I MISSED the Opening Ceremonies.  We decided to go camping last weekend and missed first two days of the Olympics.  But don't worry, I got back on track Sunday as I watched Women's Synchronized Diving, Michael Phelps swim a little and qualifying for the Women's Gymnastics.  

Let me say... I feel OLD and OUT OF SHAPE!  

These participants are true ATHLETES!!!  

On Tuesday Me, the Hubs and Gracie all sat down to watch the Men's Synchronized Diving.  

And, when the first pair got ready on the platform, all I heard was an 

'OH MY', 

from my 7 yr old.

She said, 'those sure are some small bathing suits, they look like panties'.   

So True Gracie, So True!

Here's what she was talking about:

Maybe this IS why I enjoy watching????  Hmmm???

Anyway, on to the Scenes from my Weekend.

As I said we spent the weekend Camping at 

Steele Creek Campground

in Morganton, NC.  

It's a great campground for kids:

There is a Water Slide (that's not too big or scary).

That's Gracie on the slide, and her friend Corrie in the water making sure she's out of the way.

 There is a Beach area with lots of sand where you can just relax and lounge in the cool freezing water.

There are even some spots in the Creek where the "Lighter" folks can tube without getting stuck on the rocks.

Beautiful Scenery Everywhere!!

And the kids can even get in a little fishing. 

Just minnows in the net.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend!  HOT, but wonderful.

See you all on Friday!

Let's Make It Monday... Yummy Summer Goodness

Happy Monday! 

Wanna know one of my FAVORITE Summer Desserts?

Yummy Peach Cobbler, of course!

And I'm going to share my Mom's wonderfully EASY recipe for Peach Cobbler.  

(If it's a secret family recipe.... sorry Mom!)

Here is the ingredients List:

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Bisquick

1 Egg

1 Stick of Butter

Peaches:  either 4-5 whole peaches sliced or 3 small cans

That's it!  Easy Peasy!

Ingredients... I'm already getting hungry.

Instructions:

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

 - To make Crust, mix together Sugar, Bisquick and Egg until crumbly.

**SECRET SIDE NOTE**  

I always add a little Cinnamon to my crust (no measurement, just sh.  I just love Cinnamon.  It's not in the original recipe, but it works for me!

This is what the Crust should look like after you've mixed it...

-Next, add peaches to your 9x9 square or round dish.  

Yum...Right?

-Then, pour the Crust over top of the peaches.  Make sure to cover all the peaches.

-Melt the stick of butter and pour over the Crust.  Try to cover as best as possible.

-Stick dish in the Oven for 30-35 minutes, or until top is slightly brown and bubbling.  And your kitchen smells Yummy!

A stick of Butter, sounds like Paula Deen!

- Then Enjoy!  I think I cooked mine a little too long.  I like my baked goods slightly under cooked and gooey!  But I was still Yum-O!

If you try my Cobbler, let me know how it turns out.  

Also, you can substitute any Fruit in place of the Peaches (they just happen to be my favorite).  And since JULY is NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MONTH.  

And this Cobbler is Great with Blueberries (just sprinkle a little lemon juice over the blueberries before adding the crust).

Now go MAKE something, and I'll talk to you soon!

What I Found Friday.....

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

I hope that everyone has had a great week, and that you will have a FABULOUS weekend!

As everyone knows, I'm pregnant, and trying to pull together a Nursery.  I have evicted my Husband out of his hunting room and we are converting that room in to the Baby's room.  So I decided not to repaint the room (it's a 10 x 28 ft room, I think I can deal with the Hunter Green walls Just add some Pink to it).

Anyway, while cruising around the Internet I found a Baby Boy's Room on Pinterest:

How Fabulous is this!!!!  

I tried to follow the link to find out where they ordered this or if they painted themselves, but the link was no good.... So, off to my next favorite spot for purchasing.... EBAY!

And, WHALA!!  Here is my new Vinyl Tree that is being shipped via UPS as I type!

Isn't it cute???  I ordered Brown, and thought that I would put it right behind the Crib w/ Baby Nichols' initials in one of the Frames over the Crib.  

I hope it turns out.... I'll keep you guys posted.

Hey... don't forget that today is the Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics in London.  

I can't wait!  I Love the Olympics.

Enjoy your Olympics filled Weekend!

Random Wednesday.... Summer School

So, like every other GUNG HO Mom, as Summer Break was approaching I gathered worksheets, printed reward charts and organized (the dreaded) 

Summer School Chore Chart!

Yes..Yes.. it is dreaded by my 7 yr old.

She HATES to do work during the Summer, but I just don't want her to fall behind.  She is making the transition from 1st Grade to 2nd Grade, and I would LOVE if her reading skills on 2nd Grade Day 1, were the same as 1st Grade Last Day.  

That's not to much to ask.....  is it??  

So, I made all of these folders and put them up on the Fridge.   

See my Organization:

The Chart details exactly what is expected and the amount of MONEY, yes I said MONEY, she would receive at the end of the week when the tasks are complete.  The Books, she only had to read a few pages per WEEK.  Do ONE Language and Math sheet per week, then put the completed assignments in the Finished Work folder.  

THAT'S IT!!!  

Well, now you might ask "Has it been going well?  Has she been doing her Summer Work?" 

NO!

Here is what she has been doing:

Playing with a Smurf's Village App on my IPhone.

Now, after I breath a few times... I do have to say that there is a lot of reading that she has to do to get through challenges.  And, she has to calculate the hours until her crops will be ready to harvest (can't have them become ready while she's asleep or they will wither and die). Sorry, I'm in denial that I'm letting her do this.

So, after the Hubs talked me down (a few times) I've realized, she's having fun and she is getting a little math and reading in too.  I guess it could be worse.?.Right??...

Oh.. and she does go to the YMCA Summer Camp all day Monday thru Friday, so she's not with the Smurfs all day long, just in the afternoons.

Have a Happy Wednesday!

Let's Make it Monday... Is it a Holiday?

So did you know that July is 

National Hot Dog Month??

AND that today is

National Hot Dog Day??

I didn't until recently, 

which gave me the perfect opportunity to wrap my hands around these guys:

My Yummy lunch at work the other day..  

Hardees has GREAT Hot Dogs!!

And of course, what better excuse than it's National Hot Dog Month, to make a quick and easy dinner!!!  With Baked Beans and Curly Fries... It doesn't get much better.

YUM!!

Hope you have a Hot Dog kind of day!