SNEAK PEEK - BESTIES

SOMEONE IS LUCKY HE'S CUTE...

Thank heavens for Magic Eraser for the walls and baseboard - the couch on the other hand, we're still working on it....

ALMOND MILK

I was pleasantly surprised - this milk is good...

YOU KNOW ME WELL IF YOU KNOW

how I feel about dogs....
I'm trying really hard to feel differently....

MOVIE REVIEW, ACCORDING TO ME

Bright Star is a beautiful romantic love story that I didn't want to end.

Ben Whishaw is an adorable John Keats - I wanted to know him more. I was swooning...

MARILYN

"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

~Marilyn Monroe

ATTENDING A

high school fund-raising car wash.... brings back a lot of memories...

I CAN'T BE OUT OF PLUTONIUM!

Are you telling me you're from the past?
I need to fix the flux capacitor!
Oh no! Your grandpa is your father!
Hurry, I'm running out of time!
These are examples of the words coming out of the mouths of the wee ones.....

Back to the Future 1, 2 & 3 were on Nick at the beginning of the week.
We thought the older boys would really enjoy them.
They did but the wee ones LOVED them.
Now if we just knew of someone who owns a delorean....

SNEAK PEEK - AVERY

WE ARE ALL REGISTERED

for high school, middle school, elementary school and pre-school..... I think I need a bigger calendar for scheduling....

CALLED TO SURF

is the new line at Lime Ricki.
They are celebrating with a 25% off online sale through the end of the month..I have this suit that I picked up last time I was in SLC and seriously love it!
Check out this and this.
Have fun shopping....

CHEESY

Some craft projects are just wrong.....

via Eddie Ross Twitter

FLAMINGO

Brandon Flowers' album is being released in 21 days.....

I'm more than a smidge excited...

"THEY ONCE HAD REGULAR JOBS,

but decided one day they wanted something more...."
I love stories about people following their passions.
Passion combined with food, I love it even more!
Have you heard about Georgia Pellegrini's book, Food Heroes?
It sounds absolutely amazing....I can't wait for this book to arrive on my doorstep....

THINKING ABOUT TAKING LUNCH TO

school in a photo lunchbox put a smile on my face...

Oh, the possibilities....

I'VE BEEN COOKING UP SOME YUMMIES

today....Pesto, artichoke pizza - delizioso.....

And I made Maria's recipe for Classic Swedish Apple Cake - läcker!

Our taste buds are having a happy Friday.

Hope you have a great weekend....

FORGIVENESS

Wow.

Loved this powerful, touching, amazing video.....

WUV, TWUE WUV....

Grandma and Grandpa Joan are a shining example of a strong marriage full of love, mutual admiration, respect, kindness and happiness....

We love you!

Happy Anniversary!

MOVIE REVIEW, ACCORDING TO ME

I watched Forever Strong via Netflix instant queue with my oldest this afternoon and we LOVED it.
It's a wonderful, inspiring, feel good, based on a true story, movie that we'll be watching again as a family.
We give it two enthusiastic thumbs up....

I saw a late night showing of Eat, Pray, Love last night with my sis.
I liked it! I found myself smiling and giggling a lot and wiping my eyes here and there.
The scenery is gorgeous and I want to purchase tickets for me and my man clan for Italy and Bali....

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

is one of my favorite breakfasts, either sprinkled over yogurt or in a bowl with ice cold milk....

I've been quite lazy with meal planning over the summer, but with the start of school creeping upon us, I've been getting my act together.

Thinking of quick, simple, inexpensive, delicious breakfasts for my man clan, granola was at the top of the list.

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup sliced almonds
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup unsalted pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cups craisins
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

Put first five ingredients in a big bowl and stir them together.

In a separate bowl, stir together the oil, salt, maple syrup and honey.

In another separate bowl, stir together raisins.

Add the oil-honey mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until everything is coated.

Spread mixture onto two parchment lined cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir the mixture after 10 minutes of cooking.

Mix in raisin mixture while it’s hot.

Let it cool and then break it into clumps. Store it in an airtight container.

THE TOOTH FAIRY IS MAKING

her first visit tonight.... We have an excited boy in our house....

SAYING GOOD-BYE IS

hard to do....

Can't wait to see you at Christmas Uncle Steve!

ZORBING

is what I want to do.
I've heard rumors there is zorbing in the northwest but my googling skills are failing me - I can't find ANY info for this area....If you know of a place, please let me know.
Merci beaucoup.

STEPHANIE-PALOOZA

has begun!
My sister is moving to Scotland in seven weeks, so we have decided to have a Stephanie-Palooza, which begins in Oregon and ends in Utah.
First item on her list - the 8.7 mile Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls.

It was a beautiful hike and I can only imagine how much more beautiful they are when the water levels are higher.
My favorite falls were the first, second and tenth.
PS. If it's going to be a 98 degree day, go early and take a lot of water.

OUR FAMILY DINNERS ARE

fun but even more fun when we have out of town family visiting.....

We had a belated birthday celebration for Uncle Dennis, yummy food and lots of laughter.

Our out of towners are leaving throughout the week.

Boo hoo for us...

WE HAVE ONE SORE BOY

in our house.
His morning was filled with a frenectomy, a tooth pulled and upper braces put on...
He's swollen and sore; poor guy.
Round two is next week....

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES,

all the single ladies, ALL THE SINGLE LADIES, all the single ladies.
Now put your hands up....

Jackie, congratulations.

Miriam and Steph, you could have stood up front (or tackled).

Better luck next time....