Birthday Girl

A few days ago while we were all together, we had an impromptu, early party for my sweetpea. Tomorrow is her 3rd, yes 3rd birthday. So hard to believe.  You have brought so much joy into our lives. I hope you have a perfect day and I can't wait to hear all about it.

We started to sing and that's all it took

At least she didn't cry. (her mother did every year)   

Please hurry and stop singing that sad song!

Now let's get these candles out and have some fun!

Happy  Happy Birthday Lila.

Nanny sends you a big hug and a kiss.

Starting Over

Let's try this again...... Out with the dried up spring flowers and in with some fall plants.
Trying to bring color to my deck.  I love mums and these should do the the trick. Add a pot
of lantana for contrast and voila.....color.  My hydrangea is loving the cooler temperature and
is sprouting like crazy.  I too am enjoying the under 100 temperatures.  Even though the summer
has been unbearable, there's something about the feel of fall in the air that makes me kinda sad.
I'll get over it, but it happens every year at this time.  I just hate to give up on my time of the year.
I'm not giving up yet.....still have a trip to the beach coming up.  This will be a first for me, beach in
September!  Can't wait!

Spot Light

I love the way the sun can be a spot light. 
This morning it chose the huge old tree to be it's subject. 
This tree is so beautiful in every season.  Green to gold to finally brown. 
This year has been tough on it.  It went from green to brown in a matter of weeks.
I think the sun and this tree were having a conversation about the situation.

Quick and Tasty

I love Lean Cuisine!  

They aren't many flavors I don't buy.  

These are my current favorites.  

For lunch I have a serving of each for a 400 calorie plate.  

Have you tried these?

The sky is gray today and thunder is rolling all around. 

Pure fall feeling.

Love it!

Before

After

I Choose Before!!!

Friday

The last couple of days and the weekend I'm doing what I love best! 

 Being a Nanny!

I hope you all are having fun, too!

Honolulu and Dallas

I LOVED, LOVED Honolulu by Alan Brennert.  This book deserves 'loved' in capital letters.   It's just one of those books that sucks you in from page 1.  It's one that I could read late at night and not want to put it down.

Honolulu tell the story of Regret, born to a traditional Korean family. Male children were valued over females, and daughters had names like Sorrow, Anger, and Pity.  Regret flees to Hawaii to meet her handsome husband promised to her as a picture bride.  Only to endure more abuse in paradise, this story spands her entire lifetime.

Classified as historical fiction, Alan Brennert explains that various events in the novel are accurate.

I enjoyed every page of Honolulu as I did Moloka'i, also by Brennert.

I was so sad when I read the last words....I didn't want it to ever end.....Why did I read it so fast?

Don't let the summer end without adding Honolulu to your reading list.

Tomorrow night is the season finale of Dallas!  There is a marathon all day tomorrow showing the entire season.  If you are one of the ones waiting to see if it was good......set your dvrs!  Cause it's good, and has been renewed for another season.  WooHoo!

Looking for food

I have been seeing this beautiful threesome almost daily. They are looking for green grass and water. Bless their hearts, it's hard to find this summer. They get closer and closer to the house during their search.

I also have a growing family of rabbits hopping around. I just love to watch them. Trixie does too, but she gives them a chase for their money. She can't get close to them....thank goodness! I've been throwing out lettuce leaves near the edge of the trees and they disappear quickly. I don't know which family decided to have these lilies for a meal but was I shocked when I saw this:
Before:

After:

The flowers were long gone, but the stems were still green and pretty. Pretty appetizing, I imagine! Another species looking for food really bothers me! Take a look at this:

What a difference 3 1/2 months makes around here. Take a look at this shot taken April 16th.

Do you see the tops of the tree/limbs barely out of the water?
 Look at those trees now.

Sadly, we have had the pond this low before and miraculously we still had live catfish the next spring. I've heard they bury themselves in the mud to survive. Hence the name Mudcat!

Have a great Monday all!!

Eye Catching

Yes, as I strolled the aisles of Wal Mart my eyes were drawn to this pretty green box.  Wow, everything I need to make a key lime pie in one box.....and into the buggy it went.

I always share tasty good products I find with you so in keeping things real I need to warn you about this pretty box!

As I was making the crust I imagined it would not set up and crumble to pieces when served.  Wrong!  I had to chisel a piece from the pan.  Moving on to the filling. There was a slight flavor of lime, nothing special but almost OK. (almost)  Now the topping......artificial tasting, white yucky cream with absolutely NO flavor. None.  One piece for me, one for Carrie and the rest down the disposal!

Don't be suckered into buying the pretty green box folks! 

Anyone know how to make a heading smaller than mine....It's huge and I can't figure out how to make it smaller!  Help.

So Long, Farewell!

I've said a loud goodbye to the awful, awful JULY!  Twenty days in June and July were above 100 degrees!  It seems to me that there were many more but that's what the weather guys say! I never, never look forward to fall but good gosh I can't wait for it to arrive this year.  We still haven't had any rain to speak of....a short shower is all we get and feel lucky to have that.  I have mowed the dead leaves (a job I usually do around Thanksgiving) and just gaze out at the brown grass and bare trees...sad sight.

It's been a chore to try and stay cool this summer.  In spite of the heat I have managed to have some indoor fun.  Visits with the kids have been great. Lila is enjoying all arts and crafts.  Her new found ability to cut is her favorite.  I just wonder how long it will be until she decides to take this skill to a higher level and style her hair? I can still see her mother's half gone bangs........

 We spent time on manicures and pedicures.  Talk about a girly girl.....so much fun.

Mr B is growing up right before our eyes.  Hard to believe in 8 days he will be three months old.  It's flying by.  Talk about a sweet little boy.  Just talk to him and he lights up.  I call him Happy, Happy, Happy!

When he hears Mom's voice the smile that covers his face makes Nanny's heart melt.

I hope you all are having a fun summer with cooler weather than Arkansas.......