Mine's Cuter Than Yours......

I'm only kidding, of course. I am sure you all have lovely, beautiful children. Well, I am sure many of you have lovely, beautiful children. Statistically speaking, all of you can't. I mean, I've met alot of kids and trust me when I say they are not all lovely, and beautiful. But alot of them are and I am sure that yours are among those. But you must admit, I pretty much hit the kid lottery.

Unfortunately, there is no way to keep her from becoming a teenager. It is happening right in front of my eyes. And if I can be honest? It's crap. Look, at her in this picture she is texting and laughing. At me. Friday night she texted her Dad from her bedroom. He was in the living room. Of the same house. The text? "Does mom have bagels" The next text? "Sooooo...."

But, I have to admit. She's beautiful. Both inside and out. And I suspect that is all that will carry us through these next few years. That and the peaceful feeling I get talking to her knowing that she is not my child who will spend an hour talking about big-piles-of-dog-poop and butt cracks.

All I Want For Christmas Is......

O, Mexico....

Well, if Hawaii was amazing (and amazing it was...) then Mexico was amazingly fun. I think Casey and I both took the Hawaii trip a little too seriously. I, mean, we knew that it was an incredible luxury and that even if were are at some time able to take our family back there, it probably will not be a trip like that. With open tabs, multiple spa trips, and private dinners at the ocean's edge. Probably not. I'm not gonna rule it out entirely but...

Mexico was, well it was just Mexico. We had zero expectations for this trip. Casey has won this one a number of times throughout his career and I have never been able to go along. Some years taking a spouse was simply not an option, one year we had a newborn, once we were given the option to pay for me to go and simply decided to decline. This year everything seemed to fall into place with the small exception of the little fact that we were spending the week in Maui just three weeks before this trip. Hmmmm.

It all just worked out, though. And we went. And we had a whole lotta fun. Didn't really do anything, and I think that was what was so fun about it. Relaxed, chatted with friends, sat in the pool. Here are a few shots I took while we were there.

Talking with some people we met in Hawaii. They were a hoot.

That's our hotel- Cancun Palace. It was adequate, I'm not sure I would recommend it but I wouldn't tell someone not to stay there either. I think The Grand Wailea probably clouded my judgement just a hair.

Hawaii Phot-O (like five-0, get it?)

So, I am finally getting some of the pictures from Maui up. This was actually one of the first pics I took while we were there. It was something like 4:00 A.M. local time, we never did adjust to the time change. The things sticking up to the left are Tiki torches, then Palm trees and behind that the Pacific Ocean. I'm sure you knew that, I just like saying it.

The only water elevator in the world. Completely awesome and way too cool that I have a husband who was dying to take a ride in it. We did and then went on every one of the water slides. Then back to the adult pool because I was dying to go in there because in all 12 years of our marriage we had never been able to go in the adult pool. We've payed our dues sitting in the baby pool. The baby pools are not so much filled with water, if you know what I mean. the adult pool was a big step for us.

This is the chapel there on the grounds of the Grand Wailea (why-lay-uh) It was beautiful. If you look beyond it you can see them setting up a dinner. That wasn't for us but we did have breakfast our last day out there, made to order omelets and mimosas. As the tradewinds blew in and we were, quite literally, steps from the Pacific Ocean. A-ma-zing. I wanted to cry when we left. Okay, I did cry when we left.

Another shot of the chapel.

This is the sacred pathway leading up to the adult pool and cabanas. Where there were waiters and bartenders. And an open tab.

My hunky scuba divin' man. He had a blast. I parked my butt on a lounge chair and just looked at the waves gently rolling in and tried to soak up enough Maui for the next 12 years.

Just a shot I loved. Not a mountain in the background........volcano.

These would be the lounge chairs where I parked my butt.

Seriously, even if you have to save for the next 10 years ( and you very well may have to...) I highly, highly recommend Maui as a vacation destination. Specifically the Grand Wailea, it was superb. This trip was high on our what-we-are-thankful-for list this year, I promise.

Thanks

In no particular order, the things which I am thankful for......

-coffee and all things related such as coffee makers, travel coffee mugs, Torani syrup, the well-placed-Starbucks-with-a-drive-thru, etc.

-butter, that's all, just butter. What? It's good. Really, really good.

-my Ipod- seriously did we even dream as children that one day we would be able to carry 10,000 of our favorite songs with us? I think not.

-DVR because in all honestly, watching TV in real time stinks.

-my Husband because he's amazing.

-my new fireplace that comes on with the flip of a switch which means that we actually use it.

-Photoshop because it makes crappy pictures a little less crappy

-my children because they're fantastic. Truly, they are super great as far as offspring goes.

-my daughter's cell phone because it makes her crazy happy (and it gives me a great deal of parental leverage when needed)

-all things made by Philosophy. I *heart* Philosophy.

-and all of you, my two blog readers! Thanks for always reading my crazy little ramblings

Promises, promises...

Yes, I said I was going to update the blog more often. And then I didn't. I didn't exactly mean to lie. Then again, I guess that's usually true isn't it? Most people don't start out to lie. But then there are those people who do, hmmm.

Ah, I've gotten off track once again. Simply put, I would've updated the blog more often had my computer not freaked out on me. I seem to have that effect on computers. Anyway, I had to share with my son who was none too happy about that and my time and internet access has been extremely limited or non existent depending on the status of the Backyard Football Cereal Bowl championships.

My strong, handsome husband fixed my computer yesterday. I hate to even confess to what was wrong with it. In one word, dust. Who knew? Probably most people who aren't me, to tell the truth.

Anyway, we're fast on our way to Turkey Day and I haven't even ventured to the grocery store. More updates to come, I promise.

Random Updates

OKay, I am going to do quick and random updates today so I can get back to regularly blogging. Here we go-

In August ths kids started school and we found out that we got to go to Maui. That was followed by a large amount of shopping and returning as we tried to prepare for our first alone vacation in years. We both needed swimsuits and various other items. Also, spent huge amount of time preparing to leave our kids here at our house with our friends.

September- well, I feel like I missed September entirely. We went to Maui for a week in September and it was fantastic. Watch Jon & Kate plus 8? They stayed at the same resort we did. Check it out.

We flew out of Maui at 10:40 P.M. on Thursday night (Maui time) and arrived home at our house in Hill Billy Ville at 5:30 P.M. Friday night (Texas time). Can you say long day? We were super tired for at least a week but we had no time to rest. Three weeks later we flew out to Cancun. Another trip the rock star won, what can I say?

Maui was beautiful and breathtaking. Cancun was relaxing and fun. It rained most of the time we were there but we really didn't care. We mostly just hung out and chatted with the people we met in Hawaii. We hope to all get together in New Orleans in the Spring. We got a taste of parental freedom and we like it.

Caroline started the school year with a tremendous amount of homework but that has slowed down some, thankfully. However, her teachers have no problem sending work home on a Friday afternoon. I, on the other hand, have a problem with it.....

Duncan is doing well this year and has a great teacher we are very pleased with. He still doesn't like school and we are working on that.

After returning from Mexico it was time to quickly prepare for Halloween. Caroline was a black eyed pea and Duncan was a garden knome. His wheelchair was his garden. Everyone kept calling him Santa's helper, this didn't bode well.

Duncan has announced that the only thing he wants for his birthday (in April) is tickets to the Dallas Cowboys game on Thanksgiving day. Yeah, I'll get right on that.

The Christmas lists are being made and they are long. And pricey. It seems just a year or two ago and "their most favoritist, bestest present" was $40. Looking more like $400 this year.

They are both doing Bible Drill on Sunday nights and doing well at that.

And that's pretty much the update on us. Hopefully, I can get back to my regular blogging now and add some pictures from the last couple of months too.

(Not-So-Much) Ghosts of Halloweens Past

First of all, I think I am the worst blogger in history. I don't really have an explanation other than time just seems to slip right through my hands lately. I am trying to do better. But also, I am inantely lazy therefore I have not yet uploaded the pictures from this Halloween. So, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of our past Halloween's (is that a word? that can't be grammatically correct, can it?)

This was Caroline on her second Halloween which would have been 1998. She was a flower, a darn cute one too. Somewhere I am sure I have a picture of her first Halloween just not on my computer, and remember the lazy thing? It definitely applies on Saturday mornings. Anyway, she was a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader that year. Don't worry, it was only because, bizarrely enough we were given the costume at a baby shower. So we went with it. She was only 3 months old.

Here we are in 1999. She was a pea. It was an old leftover dance costume and I was pregnant, it was easy.

Now, I am missing my picture of she and Duncan together in 2000. It was cute because he was a baby and he went dressed as a chili pepper. Funny, right? Caroline was a wacky witch- her own concept. She told me what to put on the costume and she carried the black kitty cat named Zipper the whole time.

Here we are in 2001, our first halloween in Hillbillyville. She was a mermaid. The costume was leftover from dance and I made the wig myself. She was adorable. We got gasps from the other preschool moms as we entered the room after changing. If you have never been a preschool mom, that is the reasction you are aiming for. At least, if you are Caroline it is. Duncan was a scarecrow. Maybe my favorite Halloween costume ever- he was so cute!

This is a better picture of him. This photo won a contest he was so darn cute!

I miss those days of super cuteness. Now, we've grown up. Well, I really haven't but they seem to think they have. We had to wear our costumes three different times this week which really kind of takes the fun out of it. It's all about getting the good candy and scaring their friends and each other. The people bringing their kids into our neighborhood by the truckload (literally, we are in Hillbillyville) kinda scared me. My jiggly thighs scare me more. Probably need to lay off the Halloween candy, at least til after breakfast.

Act Naturally

Simple request of my children, act normal. Here's what I got-

Aren't they cute? There are good ones too, actually a couple really good ones. But I'm saving those, Christmas is only 2 months away.

Maui

Ugh! I have become ridiculously bad at updating my blog. I have no real excuses, either. Well, I do have an awful lot happening right now. Crazy things going on round the Cumby household. Can't really share details yet, but there are exciting things on the horizon for our little fam.



So, I would like for this post to include pictures but my stupid computer does things that it shouldn't so for now we're pictureless. I'll try to add the pics in the next few days (or weeks or months maybe who knows...)



Yes, two weeks ago we returned from Maui. We went without children. It is paradise, plain and simple. My husband is a rock star.



I should explain? Yes, I thought perhaps that would help. Let's see, I'll start from the beginning.



My husband works very hard and is very good at what he does. This has been true for, well always. And truthfully, we have almost gone to Maui on this trip a couple times before but we weren't able to because he ended the fiscal year in the top 6% of the entire company. Such a slacker he is. But this year, this year he ended the fiscal year in the top 5% of the entire company. So, thanks to his hard work and the talent the good Lord has given him we spent the week in Maui. For free. Oh yeah, free trip to Maui. Paradise is actually better when it's free.



Our good friends offered to stay with our children here at our house and bless their hearts, they probably never expected us to say yes. We said yes. We haven't been away on a trip by ourselves in 5 years. We said yes quickly.



Weeks were filled with packing and shopping and making lists. Weighing suitcases and arranging after school rides home. I find it's alot of work to leave the continental US without your children. It's worth it, it's just alot of work. And I suppose since it had been so long, I had forgotten just how much work it was.



The week there was incredible. Our hotel was amazing. I am spoiled. This isn't a secret. I like to stay in nice places. I am not a Holiday Inn kind of girl. The Grand Wailea met our every need, one of the nicer places we've ever stayed. I highly recommend it.



And at the Grand Wailea they have one of the top ten spas in the world. It was amazing. I have seriously never even seen pictures of a spa this nice. I went twice. I hadn't been to the spa in seven years and I went twice while we were in Maui. Paradise, for real.



I had to show up an hour early for my appointment for terme. I didn't know what terme was, and frankly I was a little scared. Perhaps I was little out of my element? Terme is hydrotherapy, bathing suit optional. Crap. I should have been scared. I did not take the option, I wore my suit. Thankfully all of the other women who I happened to know in the spa that morning also declined the nekkid option. As one woman said that morning as we soaked in the Papaya Enzyme bath, "Um, I don't even like to look at myself naked why should anyone else have to?" Amen sister.



They had hot tubs and hotter tubs and cold plunge tubs which the naked, size zero chick told me was to improve metabolism. She sort-of irritated me until I envisioned her trying to get a baby or two past those hips and then I just sort-of laughed to myself. Cold plunge away, chickie.



They had another room with these large, rectangle baths with mud, aromatherapy, hawaiian healing bath, etc. Also, there were these waterfall showers where you sat on a bench on the hot water and then leaned forward. A huge stream of water would then cascade down your neck and back. Very, very nice.



Eventually an attendant would come and find you and take you to a private room where she would exfoliate you with some sort-of weird gloves or mitts. It was interesting. Casey even did that. I was proud. He said he finally relaxed when he found out his attendant wasn't gay. I'm glad that he thinks he wasn't gay. I am pretty sure he was wrong but we'll keep that to ourselves.



After you're exfoliated they bring you a robe and send you up the spiral stair case in the rotunda (no, I am not joking) and you wait for your masseuse to come get you. Afterwards, you can relax on the lanai where you have a beautiful view of the Pacific ocean and you can drink water with cucumber and enjoy the breeze from the tradewinds.



Crap. I want to go back to Maui.



We also explored the island and went to an authentic hawaiian luau. We had an amazing dinner on the lawn at the Four Seasons just steps from the Pacific Ocean. We watched the sunset as hawaiian music was softly played. Awesome. Truly the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Easily, hands down the most beautiful place ever. Without question. Breathtaking.



We walked back to our hotel alone, on the beach, in the moonlight, in Maui. Amazing.



We had to attend to some company functions but they were minimal. Casey played golf but I was in the spa so I didn't care. We were in paradise. I don't think I would have cared what we did.



Casey also did some scuba lessons and a supervised dive. He loved it. I couldn't do it. I have alot of problems with my ears these days and I was just too afraid. I really wish now that I would have tried it anyway. He got some great pictures of sea turtles and other creatures.
Ths kids thought that was awesome.

We got to enjoy the adults only pool for the first time in our entire marriage. Fun times.

I really want to add the pics because seriously, I can't say it enough, most beautiful place ever. I highly, highly recommend it. It even smells beautiful there. Simply incredible.

Bragging Rights

".....yeah, I saw one of those last week in Maui"

"I don't think I watched that episode, we were in Maui...."

"This is almost as good as the one I had last week, when I was in Maui"

"I should have taken one of those to Maui......."

"You know, they have something kinda like that in Maui....."

"I don't know, I haven't really caught up yet. We spent the last week in Maui...."

Ah, if nothing else a week in Hawaii sure is good for alot of bragging. More updates coming. Endless, bragging updates about my fabulous week in.... where were we? Oh yeah, Maui.

Seriously????

Ugh! I swear the universe has some perverse need to punish me whenever I wear yoga pants to school.

Yes, this morning I wore yoga pants to take the kids to school. I was in a hurry and I was tired and I decided it would be more productive for me to unload and load the dishwasher before leaving than to take the time to put on make-up. What a freakin' loser I am.

As I walked back to me car in the rain (oh yes, buckets of rain this A.M.) after dropping Duncan in his class 5 minutes late, no less, I realize my tire looks low. In reality, my tire looked flat. And that was because my tire was flat. Crap.

I debate about how to handle this little situation. Crying into a really big Margarita seemed to be the most reasonable thing I could come up with. No. I didn't. I drove to Chili's and asked my darling husband what to do since he was driving my car last night and he made my tire flat. And yes, I realize that it wasn't his fault and he didn't mean to make my tire flat. But, I was soaking wet, standing in the rain with no make-up on and a big ole t-shirt and yoga pants with flip flops that don't match. I needed someone to blame, okay?

I took it to Wal-Mart. Hubby suggested I take it to his friend's tire place. I looked at him like he had suggested I drive over to Mars to get it fixed.

"Yes honey, I would be honored to go chat with your buddy right about now" Um, no.

So, I spent approx. an hour this morning in the Wal-Mart looking like I just fit right in. And I now understand how it is possible that those people got there in their pajama pants.

Ants in the Pants..........literally

So, being a mother to a little boy continues to provide humor in quite unexpected ways.

Yesterday, I made coffee cake for breakfast and was preparing to serve it. Duncan was already in his seat at the table when he began his morning show.

"Mom. I want to tell you something I did but I won't get in trouble. K?"

Tricky little fellow, isn't he. I fell hook line and sinker for it, too.

"K." I called back only half listening as I searched for forks, napkins, milk cups, etc.

"Well, you know those plastic bugs we bought for the party?" he asked.

"I do." I said smiling because what he was calling a party was actual a camping themed dinner party for only the 4 of us that he had planned.

Now, he's smiling. And giggling. "Well," he says, now laughing," I put them in my..." he can't talk now because he's laughing so hard. He catches his breath and finally adds that last word, "pants."

His sister is in a fit of giggles and so is he. I am standing in the kitchen confused.

"When?" I demand.

Still having a hard time talking because he's laughing so hard so he tries to explain. "Right before you walked into my room. I just grabbed them and dropped them in." he doubles over in laughter at this point.

I am somewhat bewildered by this and his Daddy has joined us at this point and we're somewhere between laughing at him and considering therapy for him.

"And I can offer you proof," he announces and with that he reaches into his pants and begins pulling out plastic spiders, centipedes and other various nasty bugs.

That was enough to put us all over the edge. We're all laughing at this point and then as if he needed to say anything else he adds-

"Yeah, I just opened up the private hatch and dropped 'em right in"

Show and Tell?

I had to run to Fort Worth yesterday. Oh, okay. I saw a chance to escape and I took it. None the less, my darling husband had to do the afternoon pick-up. Which is sort-of like driving through the bowels of Hell with 4,000 drunk morons.



Yes, it is that bad. Alright. Maybe not quite that bad but close enough.



So, I call him on his cell one hour after school gets out. He's pulling into our driveway. Keep in mind our small town is all of 1 square mile. See, it is that bad. Yes, I could be exaggerating a little bit. But only a little. Anyway, he tells me I had better watch my mouth while I'm driving. Crap.



"What did Duncan say?" I asked trying to sound a little bit innocent.



"He yelled out- What's this genius think he's doin'" He said, quite indignant.



I laughed out loud. Then I quickly promised to watch it while I silently prayed that Duncan didn't share with his Daddy my other "names" for the bad drivers.

And So It Begins.....

Well, I'm back. It's been a super fast couple of weeks filled with shopping, summertime fun, family visits and school supply hunting.

I'm always, always amazed just how quickly the summer flies by. I remember so clearly the last day of school- it seems like it was merely a day or two ago and not almost 3 months ago. In fact, I remember a project I started that day, think I might want to go finish that up now. Hmmm.

The kidlets are happily in school complete with new lunch boxes and backpacks. And schedules and expansion folders. Plastic folders with brads and pockets. 2 red, 1 blue, and 1 purple, please. Rulers, pencils, glue, scissors, glue sticks, map colors, twistable colors, red pens, blue pens, 3 ring binders with zippers, 3 ring binders with no zippers, composition books, book covers, spiral notebooks..............

I think I made my point.

And now, I have no idea what to do with myself. I have a "to-do" list with approximately 7,152 things on it. And here I sit with my Tazo tea (because I am ultimately, amazingly cool) doing nothing at all.

Plastic Phones and Coo Coo Birds

Well, we found the Westin. It took a little effort but we did eventually get there. At this point we realize that Caroline has not opened her gifts from us so we take them up to them room. And the following picture is how she reacted when she opened up the plastic Incredibles phone I wrapped up.

He was the one who explained that it meant we would get her a phone of her own. Later she told me that when she unwrapped the phone because it was a Disney phone she thought her present was going back to Disney. Right then. We were next to the airport. That would have been a cool gift. But for the cost of another Disney trip (which is totally in my future, by the way) she can send a whole lot of text messages so we stuck with the phone thing.

Then we set off to the rooftop pool. The kiddos thought this would be a wonderful adventure. I thought surely the rooftop pool at the airport Westin at 9:00 P.M. would be abandoned. Which is a good thing, by the way. I was wrong. Ever happen to you?

Of course, it was like 105 out so it's really no wonder everyone was at the pool. It was also pretty dark up there. But we figured what the heck. Sometimes we ought to just be slapped.

Casey gets in with the kids. I sit on a chaise lounger nearby and observe. I guess my mother's intuition told me there would need to be some observing. Well, we've been there all of about 3 minutes when I realize Caroline is swimming with her glasses on. So I call out to her-

"Caroline. Yoo-hoo! Caroline, are you sure you want to swim in your glasses?"

Drunk-half-naked lady stops and turns to me and says "thank you" while handing me her specks. I am confused. I shake my head and point to my child, who is not more than 10 feet away, in her glasses. None of this registers with drunk-half-naked lady. I lay her glasses down at the end of the chaise lounger. A couple sitting on the edge of the pool laugh out loud at her. She doesn't notice.

I am puzzled. I sit there thinking to myself exactly how long we actually have to stay at the pool. Not long, as a matter of fact. Drunk-half-naked lady took a liking to my son. She tried to remove him from my husband's arms. She was unsuccessful. The couple from the side of the pool now say out loud that they think she's drunk. My husband replies that he agrees. All of this takes place directly in front of her face and she doesn't take notice. At all. She continues speaking to Duncan. He is annoyed. She tried to hug him and Casey pulls him away from her. She gives my 8 year old son her e-mail address.

Casey decides it's time to go. He and Duncan say "Coo-coo, coo-coo" over and over again as we exit the pool and return to our room. I'm gonna guess she didn't notice. I wonder if she ever found her glasses.

American Girl Remix

So, for some reason that I really don't know Caroline and her homegirls have this tradition of taking each other back home after sleepovers. Really no clue how this came to be, but I guess all that matters is that it did. So, Saturday morning we set out to return the little chicks back to their mamas. Except for the one that lives in Dublin. Tradition was only pulling so much weight around here on Saturday after I had cleaned up chocolate face mask all night and then attempted to sleep with Duncan for approx. 4 hours. Driving all the way to Dublin only to not have a Dr. Pepper (cause I gave up all soft drinks several weeks ago and yes, that is a post all to itself and by the way, it was a bad idea.....) well, that crap just wasn't happening. We did not drive to Dublin. But we took the others on home and we did a little visitin' while we were at it and I am not even making this part up- I took back the poison that one of the Dads had lent us the night before. It was worm poison, don't worry. That's another post all on it's own. So, we get back and warm up some lunch and try to decide what to do the rest of the day. On a whim, we call the American Girl store because we still haven't eaten there and they actually have an opening at 7:30. So we go to Dallas. Right then. Well, first I got a room on Priceline and quickly packed a bag. And then we went to Dallas. Right then.

We shopped around a little. Her majesty thought I should buy her another doll. I declined. I had already bought her clothes, perfume, cell phone, cake decorating stuff (Ace of Cakes, remember?) and a CD. I've also promised a new duvet and artwork for her walls. And then of course, there's the trip to the spa that's been requested.

That's Amanda the doll after being seated at the restaurant. Everything was shiny and pink. In other words, just like Heaven. They didn't bring Amanda any food. I thought that was rude.

The boys were making the best of being in Estrogen land for dinner.

For dessert she ordered chocolate fondue and the waitresses sang Happy Birthday. It was at this point that I realized our waitress actually could speak. Hmmm. Wow.

Dunk has completely lost it and has hung the napkin rings/cookie cutters off of his ears sort-of like Princess Lea buns. He was ready to be done. Amanda got two new outfits. The birthday princess was thrilled. And then we set off to find the Westin.......

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

Well, I can't even believe how behind I am on the blog....... lots and lots of things to post. For now, let's focus on the major event in our life that took place on Saturday. I am no longer the parent of a ten year old- she turned eleven this weekend. We celebrated in true "pre-teen" style. We started with a sleepover on Friday night. Here are some of the girls starting on a craft project- decoupage picture frames.


This post isn't supposed to be about me at all but did you see my pretty new chandelier in the above picture? Pretty, huh? I like it. Alot. This next picture is one of the tiny, personalized mini cakes I made for her majesty's guests. It was her idea. She is obsessed with Ace of Cakes. What can I say? I am a sucker for birthdays. Thank God she didn't ask for a castle or something.

Here's their snack buffet for the evening. I thought Duncan was getting more enjoyment out of it than anyone else then I went to bed.......... I awoke to remnants of the buffet spread throughout the family room.

Now on to the beautification process. That's chocolate face mask she's spreading on. Here's what I will tell you about chocolate face mask........do.....not.......do.....it. That's all. I spent more than an hour walking back and forth between the bathroom and the table scrubbing, wiping, cleaning and picking up that cotton-pickin' face mask. Do NOT do it. Ever.

After face mask we did nails. This made Daddy pretty nervous on the new floors. I was so damn tired from cleaning the face mask that I really didn't care if they painted the walls with the nail polish as long as they didn't touch that darn face mask anymore.

This is Caroline and her best friend Morgan. Morgan is a nail painter extraordinaire. Everyone wanted Morgan to paint their nails.

Now we're at breakfast the next morn. It was Caroline's actual birthday and on birthday's we have birthday pancakes. The girls got up around 9:15 after getting to sleep sometime around 4:00 A.M. Saturday morning I felt a whole lot older than I actually am.

She wanted us to sing again and she decided to direct.

And now she's showing off while we are making tote bags before taking the girlies home. I think she had a blast. I think I remember why I never have liked sleepovers very much. I think I need to remember she'll only be eleven this year. I think the person who made up chocolate face mask ought to be shot.

There was more celebrating to be done- I'll continue in the next day or two

Paula for President

My thought for today- Paula Deen for president!!! Seriously, she was a single mom who raised two boys and she successfully started and ran her own restaurant- she could run this country, I'm sure of it. Furthermore, she is a culinary genius.

Yeah, I know some of you would debate that part and I would have too until last night. Last night, Paula won me over forever.

For several years now, I have made this Paula recipe- we often refer to it as Bread Pudding for Breakfast. And in this house,we happen to like our bread pudding but this recipe is really a little bit better than bread pudding for breakfast. I do not make it often, generally I do make it on Christmas Eve so it is ready to put in the oven for Christmas morning and we eat while we unwrap. Then, I usually end up making it once or twice during the rest of the year. A friend gave me the recipe and I knew it was Paula Deen I guess I never thought much about it.

Baked French Toast Casserole

Ingredients:
1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
Butter, for pan
8 large eggs
2 cup half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Raspberry Syrup, recipe follows

Directions:
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry Syrup.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Inactive Cook Time: 8 hours Cook Time: 45 minutes Difficulty: Medium Yield: 6-8 servings

Praline Topping: 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2-teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread over bread as directed above.

Raspberry Syrup: 1 cup raspberry preserves 3 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur (recommended: Framboise)
Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until warm and thinned out like syrup.

And as a note to the above recipe, I have never made the Raspberry Syrup because it was not included in the copy of the recipe I have. I now feel very angry at all those people who have been eating my french toast with their raspberry syrup because it sounds really yummy.

So, although I had watched a Paula Deen show here or there on Food Network I wasn't what I would call a fan. She was funny and she liked butter. I can appreciate that. She told Martha Stewart when asked if she was really cooking with all that butter," Honey, I'm just a little, fat southern girl and we like butter." Yes, we do Paula. We like butter. Amen.

Then, Easter of this year we dined at my Grandparents house where Mommy B made ham & grits. Not much of a grits girl, myself. But being all about setting a good example and all, and you all can stop the snickering because deep in your heart you know it's true. Okay, maybe I am the one snickering. Anyway, I served myself a small helping of grits when I also served them to Duncan. He looked at me a little funny. I looked at him back with that Mother look of shut-your-mouth-now-or-I-will-lecture-you-all-the-way-home-and-everyone-in-the-car-will-be-mad-at-you-and-you-will-wish-you-had-just-eaten-the-damn-grits kind of look. You're familiar with it, I'm sure.

So, we taste the grits. And we sort-of silently agree immediately that they are like the best thing ever. I think that Duncan and I only had grits for lunch. We probably ate five or six servings. It was obnoxious. They are good, though. So, it was okay.

Then for dessert, Mommy B brought out a delicious looking dish that was covered on top with shortbread cookies. In case you are not aware, shortbread cookies are the best cookies on the whole planet. Can I get another Amen? This was fabulous. I inquired as to what she was carrying. Well, it was none other than banana puddin' . If you live in Texas, you must leave the G off pudding when it is preceded by banana. It's the law.

First of all, I do not like Banana Puddin'. I have never liked Banana Puddin'. But this idea was genius, it almost made me eat the Banana Puddin' which just once more for effect I will remind you, I do not like. This idea, I asked. Did she come up with it herself? No. Paula did. Genius girl, just genius. Take those soggy Nilla wafers out and add the most delicious cookies ever. Yummy.


Baked Garlic Cheese Grits

Ingredients:
6 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cup regular grits
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
16 ounce cheddar cheese, cubed
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs, beaten
1 stick butter
8 ounce grated sharp white cheddar cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 4 quart casserole dish. Bring the broth, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a boil in a 2 quart saucepan. Stir in the grits and whisk until completely combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the grits are thick, about 8 minutes. Add the cubed cheddar cheese and milk and stir. Gradually stir in the eggs and butter, stirring until all are combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with the white cheddar cheese and bake for 35-40 minutes or until set.
Yield: 12 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 45-50 minutes Ease of preparation: easy
PD & Friends, pg. 153
Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

So, at this point I am a Paula fan. I researched some recipes of hers to try and I discovered I had been making her fried chicken for years- I just didn't realize it. It's yummy. And on to last night, I made her recipe for Chicken Georgia. It's easy. It's fast. And my vegetarian daughter ate two helpings of Chicken. I love you Paula Deen.


Chicken Georgia

Ingredients:
4 tablespoon (1/2 stick) butter
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 tablespoon minced shallots
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 ounce grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and shallots and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes. Add chicken and cook 10 minutes on each side, or until tender. Transfer chicken to platter and sprinkle with grated cheese. Top with mushroom mixture. Cook and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese melts.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Ease of Preparation: Easy Yield: 4-6 servings
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Stayin' Home and Huggin' Trees

Well, let's see. I want to write today but it seems to me I pretty much have nothing to report.

Last night, over some seriously bad pizza at Cici's - where by the way, I officailly declared at the table that they could all consider this their last meal at said establishment- my almost eleven year old daughter explained to me how the current gas prices are all the fault of our government. There was a long bit about supply and demand and drilling in Alaska. Surprisingly, she had alot of the facts straight.

Even though as I get older I tend to want to blame alot of things on the government I did explain to her that in my opinion there was plenty of blame to go around on this one. She understood, I think. Actually, I'm sure she did. I probably should have savored that moment a bit a longer as she will be the one explaining such topics to me before to long. She's a smart cookie, that one.

Speaking of the gas prices, I read something the other day reporting that the number of automobile deaths are down because fewer people are on the roads which makes sense. They were trying to point out the positives of the higher prices. Which isn't a bad idea seeing as how I don't think this is going away anytime soon so when live gives you lemons...... hope you have enough money for vodka, right? That's not right, is it? Oops.

Seriously, though. We are trying to do our part to conserve our gas which means we are home, alot. Which is cool, really. I mean home ain't bad these days. But not as exciting as in the years past and it is taking some getting used to. Lots of craft projects and movie nights and lots of "I'm Bored!" too.

I am still baffled by the fact that I had this discussion with my daughter- I am baffled by the fact that I am old enough to have a daughter but that's for another day or therapy session or something- but she and I talked about how Americans were going to have to change our lifestyles. And some of the positives of those changes. Our children are now old enough that we when talk the talk about such things we have to actually do it which I can say here stinks just a little bit. So, like I said we're trying to our part. And that has not been entirely fun. But we have seen lots of positives from it, really we have.

This same child asked permission last week to write a letter to the city council asking for a citywide recycling program. I said yes, but sign your father's name. Just kidding. I told her to sign someone else's name, her father is my sole source of income, I am not that stupid ya'll.

So those of you that have known me for year's can offically laugh out loud as I have given birth to a real, live tree hugger. How bout that for irony?

Torch the Schedule

We completed yet another family tradition this weekend by attending the Concerts in the Garden. This started a few years ago and Caroline had decreed it tradition before we got to the parking lot. I must say, it's a fantastic family event. I guess, most especially for us because it involves music.

This year we were a little disappointed with the choices that were available on the dates we were able to go- but in the end it worked out very well. We saw The Music of the Eagles and I thought it was very good. We took another family with us, I guess I should say they took us with them because they drove. We had a picnic before the concert and Caroline made us all Creme Brulee for dessert. Ahem, she made us Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee and it was fantastic. I did a little assist with the blow torch.

I don't think Casey was wild about either one of us having a blow torch anyway. I liked it. Maybe a little too much. I am starting to think of other things I could torch. Old boots, cruddy t-shirts, the couches I hate but my darling husband says I can't replace......

Anywho, it was a lovely evening complete with some adventures aboard the handicapped bus. It's always something. I am focusing on being more relaxed and open minded. I did pretty well, I think.

I think more than anything it made me realize how much I enjoy summer. I often joke about the heat, and make no mistake it is hot out here. But there is so much to be said for the relaxing, fun times as a family we have in the summer. Throwing out the schedule and not worrying about hurrying to get here or there is really wonderful.

Big Traditions

I often marvel at the unique personalities of my two children. In many, many ways they are very much alike- I attribute this to growing up in essentially the exact same environment and the fact that their mother and father are also, very much alike. But don't be mistaken- we all have our differences.

And to that end, one of my children is simply obsessed with family traditions. There are many things I must do for this child throughout the year simply because, at some point in the past I did it before. Now, it's our tradition. Unfortunately, I am not always aware that it has become a tradition until it's time for it to happen. We make do.

The part about this that humors me, I suppose, is that I would not have expected this from this particular child. I bet you are thinking I am talking about the opposite child, right now in fact. Because my child that is traditional in thinking, conservative in beliefs, mature beyond their years and family oriented above all things- is Duncan. My tradition obsessed child is Caroline.

Caroline insists upon family traditions at all points of the year and holidays are really only the jumping off point. I personally love family traditions. The very fact that our little family is not only still intact after all these years but thriving is my greatest source of pride. Doing things with them fills my heart.

However, I prefer to keep things simple. I just feel the more elaborate traditions become the harder they are to carry out and the more stress they induce and the less fun they are all around. On this particular point, my daughter and I can sometimes agree. She tends to enjoy the elaborate ones too but then again she ain't the one doing the work or footing the bill so who can really blame her?

So, our Family Fourth of July celebration is tradition. And, man it's hard work. But I thought I would share with you in case you don't yet have a Family Fourth of July celebration of your own, you might want to try ours, if you're up to it.

First of all, you should stay inside until at least 5:00 P.M.- umm, this would be my addition to the tradition, what can I say? It's July in Texas, do not attempt to be outdoors people, that's just stupid. Okay, then if you are lucky like us your town, city or Ville will have a fireworks celebration. I must add a personal aside here because I often poke fun at Hill Billy Ville and I don't mention the benefits of living here nearly enough- we have an absolutely top-notch fireworks celebration every year. For real, not kidding. It's fantastic. So, if you are lucky enough to have one in your town too, then you should pack a picnic and head out there to see the fireworks.

But before you go, you need the recipe. Be forewarned, it's alot of work. This is a time consuming difficult process which I reserve for our Family Fourth of July celebration. But if you think you're up for it- here you go.

You will need one of these. It's a counter top ice cream maker. You could use one of those old-fashioned cranking kind with the salt and all that but the recipe is so much work, I wouldn't add to it if I were you. All you have to do for this one is freeze the canister the night before (I keep mine in the freezer so it's ready whenever we are) and then plug it in. Life is good.

Okay, so now for the ingredients. Don't say I didn't warn you- this is complex folks.

Yes, those are the ingredients. Big Red soda and Eagle Brand milk. To be fair I should have put two of the HEB brand Big Red sodas in the picture but I didn't. I have issues with symmetry, okay?

Here's what you do- you turn on the ice cream maker, you pour in the Big Red and Eagle brand at the same time- otherwise, you can end up with frozen Eagle Brand Milk at the bottom which isn't all bad but not exactly what you're looking for. Then I always drape a kitchen towel over the top and walk away. That's all. It took mine about an hour today to be frozen. And *frozen* would be a relative term because it's still a little slushy when it's done. I put mine into a plastic container and into the freezer this morning so it will survive our trip to see the fireworks tonight. Because that is actually the tradition, per my daughter. Eating Big Red Ice Cream while watching fireworks on Fourth of July.

Doesn't it look yummy? It so totally is. So, there you have it. The top secret recipe for the Hill Billy delicacy Big Red Ice Cream- enjoy!

Apron Strings

So, I have become a ridiculously bad blogger. Sorry. I have so much to do- make crafts, clean house, water grass, cook meals, water grass, sweep floors, water grass, mediate fights, water grass, spend hours searching Etsy, water grass........

Catch that? What's Etsy you say? It's addicting is what it is. It's a completely cool marketplace for people to sell their handcrafted items. And it is an utterly addicting, time sucking, Internet destination for me.

Someone commented to me last week that technology had only served to complicate their lives and I thought to myself how ridiculous that very statement was. I can't even fathom living out her in Hill Billy Ville without the technology that so improves my quality of life. That is, until I spent the better part of this morning searching Etsy for an apron.

Maybe I should step away from the computer. To be fair, I need an apron. Due to my sincere love of domesticity (or the high gas prices, just pick one whichever one you want....) I have been cooking at least two meals a day and sometimes three. And sometimes when I search Etsy for long periods of time I let the children eat cake...... for breakfast. See, I'm a history teacher too! Wait! I have gotten off-track. I do hate it when that happens. Or not. Whatever.

Okay, I need an apron. Because generally after preparing our evening meal I have to change clothes before we eat. I may love domesticity but I did not say I was good at it. Seriously. I look as though I poured the ingredients on myself rather than putting them in the food. I have no further explanation. I can't even imagine how it happens, truthfully. But it does, I assure you.

So, I decide I need some aprons. And I have been looking at or some might say stalking a couple at Anthropology but then I thought it would be fun to check out what I might find at Etsy. It was fun. I could have easily spent about $8964.30 on aprons this morning. I didn't though. I would have liked to. But just to be clear for when my husband reads this, I Didn't.

I spent $29 and I bought this darling little thing-

Here is this gal's Etsy shop- go check it out if you have several hours to kill-

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5657968

I may need an intervention. I want more aprons. Alot more.