~random stuff with pics~

I ♥ pumpkins.

I dis♥ hot summers.

On Sunday, in an effort to forget that it was eleventy million degrees outside, V, Ste and I made paper pumpkins - Halloween version.

Here's where I got the idea.

I also whipped up this throw pillow cover out of a piece of vintage sheet I had in my fabric stash. I made it envelope style for easy cleaning.

Here's the tutorial I used to learn how.

I love it in our old rocker.

And on a completely different note: Stephen got his eyes dilated for the first time.

☺

~a few cell phone vacay pics~

Can't believe it was over a month ago!

I spend so much time planning for vacations and they're over in a snap!

So thankful for cameras and memories, and my lovely, lovely family!

~rescue me~

~vbs finale~

{Meg, 8 and Sam, 5 - VBS 2011}

We've been getting previews each evening, but tonight we were there for the finale!

Virgil, Stephen and I visited each of their classrooms and watched them perform their music with the whole VBS group.

Meg and Sam had a great time and we were blessed to share it with them!
♥

~your kind heart~

There's been a new situation at our house. Something out of the ordinary. A bit stressful and definitely contrary to our *beloved* routine!

But you've taken it all in like a champ. Pitching in, taking initiative, displaying your ready smile. I'm always amazed at your kind heart. I guess it's because the world has cliches for 13 year olds in general and teenagers too. But here's what I know:

You are kind.

And Dad and I love you.

So very much.

~bride and groom at sunset~

I'm finally getting around to posting about the wedding!
Thought I'd start out with some photos of the bride and groom on the beach, in the sunset just after the ceremony.

I had great fun with these shots. I am a novice photographer and enjoy trying different apertures and shutter speeds.

I love how the photos turned out.

Not perfect...but definitely

captured memories!

~vacation sunsets~

Bradenton Beach Florida June 2011.

It was so relaxing to sit on the beach with my hubs and my sister and watch the sun set over the Gulf.

~blessed~

~he makes us laugh~

Even a trip to Wal-mart on vacation for extra swim trunks turns into something to laugh about.

That's our Ste!

~summertime = pool time!~

family time at the pool~

lovin' it!

~a little monster turns 1~

Aiden turned the BIG ONE on June 30th. His Mom and Mamaw gave him a big monster themed bash!

Now that's alotta cake for a little guy!

He wasn't quite sure what to think of it, but made quite a mess anyway.

His Great Aunt Mamy is quite smitten!

~a couple of summerlicious recipes~

I have a couple of summerlicious recipes to post and I'm starting with dessert!

Making homemade ice cream on the 4th of July is a tradition, and even though circumstances weren't such that we had a big family gathering, my fam still had to have it! Usually both of my sisters and I have a machine cranking out the delicious creamy stuff. Since there would only be one ice cream maker whirring this time, we chose chocolate. I mean who wouldn't choose chocolate?!

This stuff tastes just like a Wendy's frosty. I use a 6 qt ice cream maker.

Chocolate "Frosty" Homemade Ice Cream

16 oz Cool Whip
1 can condensed milk
1 gal chocolate milk

Mix cool whip and condensed milk in ice cream freezer container until blended. Pour in chocolate milk to fill line. Stir as you add the milk to mix together.

Freeze according to ice cream maker instructions.

Wish I had a picture to share...was too busy eating it!! :)

The next recipe is a salad I tried over the weekend. This recipe comes from the July 2011 issue of Taste of Home Healthy Cooking:

Tortellini Chicken Salad

Cook 9 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini (I used whole wheat); add 1 cup frozen peas for last 4 -5 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water. In a 2- 1/2 qt serving bowl, layer 5 cups torn romaine, 1-1/2 cups shredded carrots, 2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast, tortellini mixture and 1/2 cup julienned sweet red pepper. Combine 1/2 cup fat-free (I used light) mayonnaise, 3 oz jar pesto and 1/4 cup buttermilk; spread over peppers. Sprinkle with 2 TBSP minced fresh parsley. Refrigerate until chilled. After it was chilled I mixed it all up so everything had a nice coating of the dressing! Serves 6.

I just poached my chicken breasts in water with salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic powder, and bay leaf and herbes de provence. This made the chicken juicy, tender and tasty. A light tasting meal that didn't heat up the house to make!

~happy 4th of july~

Giving thanks to the Lord today for the freedoms of the USA.

Happy 4th of July!