They Start Early

So Franci has been dying to type on my laptop! She is drawn to it like a moth to a light bulb. I really know that this is because Mommy is doing it. She is definitely at that stage. Geez. She has to have a purse, put on my shoes, wear my necklaces, put on her own clothes. I must admit how proud I am of her accomplishments but seriously; she's 1 1/2 years old!! Is it supposed to go this fast?!

I decided to work with her interests on this one. I just happened to come across the cutest website called American Girl. I know that they have a magazine for girls but their webpage has a lot of fun things for girls to do. I also found a game for Franci and I to play together. It's so fun and she doesn't need to do much more than push one key. (That makes this game so easy for a little one to understand...it's all repetitive motions...right up her alley!)



The game we play takes place at the pet grooming studio. She gets to choose a pet from a list and then proceed with interactive steps for grooming. Her face lights up each time! I love it!


Gotta Scrub Coconut














Have to Trim Those Nails
















The End Results













We both like this website and have been back several times! It's strange to think that this kind of online time is going to be such a part of her future. I can't imgaine what technology has in store.

My side dish

My church community group is having our first "get-to-know-you-better" outing. We're all meeting at a member's house for dinner tomorrow. Some of us have volunteered to bring side dishes and desserts.

I don't cook much. My definition of cook is "No, I can't make lasagna from scratch" and "Yes, I need to have the recipe book open at all times". I can't just whip up an extravagant meal on a dime. I have to plan for those things! However, there are a few things I do well and bruschetta is one of them!




Fresh garden tomatoes

Now does this look so yummy or what?!











Fresh Basil


Fresh basil is the best! While I was searching for pictures of basil, I discovered that some cultures find this herb to be sacred. Who would have known? It's been said that basil can cure diseases and kill mosquitoes and demons living in the air. I'm not too sure about the demons, but I definitely can use it for those pesky mosquitoes!





Newman's Own salad dressing

Virgin olive oil

Take several tomatoes and chop up, finely chop fresh basil, add Newman's Own Lite Balsamic salad dressing (it gives it an extra punch of flavor) or virgin olive oil to a bowl. Stir and serve!

Bruschetta

I usually serve this with wheat bread or melba toast. It's such a light tasting snack and it doesn't fill you up for the main course. However, in my case, I tend to make this my meal!

Acorns and Walnuts

Today is officially Fall! I can't believe it. This year is going way too fast and I don't know how to handle this! My baby isn't such a baby anymore. She's 19 months old (as of the 19th). We bought our house in June and I still don't have everything in place. I hope it slows down these next few months. I need to catch up!

Last night brought very strange weather to our area. Thunderstorms and flash flooding like I've never seen! We luckily have an oak tree limb that hangs over the garage. All I heard last night was the ping of acorns dropping on the roof and then bouncing off my hubby's truck.

We must be blessed because in the backyard we have our very own walnut tree! Next to that is our metal shed. (Can you sense where I'm going with this)? It sounded like fireworks exploding each time a walnut would fall off!

All this rain has definitely put me into a coma. I don't know what it is about cloudy, rainy, chilly days. I just want to do nothing but snuggle up in a blanket and be still. No chores, no running errands, just pure solitude and relaxation; otherwise known to me as sleep.

We have been transitioning into Fall mode around here.

Mums

I officially planted our first flowers at our house. I chose mums since they always remind me of Fall and my carefree days as a kid growing up.

Chai Lattes

I'm hooked.

Razorback Football

Seeing this across the field is such a nostalgic feeling.

GO HOGS!

Little Bit's first of many game day apparel.

Change is in the air and you can smell it! Time to take on another challenge or complete a project that I've been putting off.

Happy first day of Fall!