Miss Spell.

I am on a hunt for a frezer, I mean a freezer.

I was thinking of buying a frigerater,  fridgerator, I mean a refrigerator.

Please excuse all of my spelling mistakes, you see I have been searching on Craigslist for such an appliance. If you don't know what craigslist is, ask me later.

Those of you who do know and haven't used it, use your money wisely and give it a try.

Those of you who are searching and aren't successful in finding what you are looking for, here is a critical tip for you:

MISSPELL 

Yes, don't type refrigerator for weeks like I did.  It will seriously limit the availability.

Do try

fridge

frige

refridge

refrige

frig

frige

Then move onto...

refrigerater

refridgerator

refridgerator

frigerator

fridgerator

and so on.

What you will find in doing such a search:

*You will NEVER spell refrigerator correctly again.

*You will find endless variations of misspelling and become proud of yourself when you think of frezer instead of freezer (trust me).

*You will eventually find what you are looking for, and for a great price.

Oh, and I haven't found a freezer yet, so if you know of one...

Pleze lit mi no.

Sidewalk Sale.

Saturdays are for doughnuts 

and yard sales

and making memories.

Tuesday PART TWO.

Tuesday, June 9 

PART TWO: 12:15pm

While at the park, Molly invites us to play at her house for the afternoon.  We agree that Max will ride with her as I will need to make a stop at home for Sam's much needed blanket.

We then decide I should definitely stop by Target and pick up two large fountain diet cokes for us girls...50 cents each (what a bargain).  One dollar and 9 cents later, Sam and I were all filled up and on our way out the double doors. 

I don't mean to boast, but if there is one thing I can master, it is pushing a baby in a cart while holding a beverage. 

My self confidence was tested however as I decided to nestle the second soda inside the cart (in the corner, for support) while maneuvering my way to the car.  What I completely neglected was the pad of metal speed bumps...the cup was quickly emptied all over the asphalt!

I went inside for a refill, fearing I looked gluttonous.  What kind of person buys two sodas...and then immediately comes back for a refill...at Target?  Pride aside, I had a friend counting on me.

It didn't take long and I was on my way home for the blanket. Remember?  Okay. 

As I walk into the house I smell smoke.  I see smoke.  I am choking on smoke.

I frantically run through the house to find...NOTHING! 

Puzzled, I go to the kitchen one more time and open the oven.  I find this:

Our busy little Sam, who loves buttons, must have pushed the "Clean" button before we left for the park. Oh, my little helper! The biggest disappointment:  my secret cupcake hiding spot has been revealed.

Luckily, there wasn't a fire.  Luckily, it is still 80 degrees and I can air out the house.  I just look forward to the day I stop smelling like a camp fire.  

Purple Passion.

It's summertime and my blender is buzzing.

Smoothies are one way for my family to get in the proper amount of servings of fruits and vegetables. 

Yep, I said vegetables!  Here is our favorite...

2 cups packed, freshly rinsed spinach leaves 

2 cups frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.)

1-2 cups cold water

1 banana

Blend spinach, berries and 1  cup of water until smooth.  Add more water if needed. Finally, add a banana and blend again.  

This will make 2 large smoothies.

Thursday night is "Salads and Smoothies" Night at Molly's and I can't wait to see what my talented lady friends whip up!

I'll be bringing this!  

A Case of Mistaken Identity.

Tuesday, June 9th

PART ONE: 11:45 am

It was a lovely day. 80 degrees. Blue skies. Slight breeze. A perfect day at the park.

I was holding Sam on my hip while I pushed my friend Molly's little girl (who Sam and I equally adore) on the swings.

Suddenly (and I mean SUDDENLY), I was approached by a late teenaged girl who was mistaking me for her "Aunt Maria".

When I say approached, I really mean she ran to me and embraced me. Her embrace then became a bear hug as she mumbled "Aunt Maria, Aunt Maria, I love you."

Her caretaker rushed over just quickly and apologized several times while trying to pry, yes PRY her hands from my body. All while the girl began pecking my neck with kisses.

The caretaker immediately instructed me to tell her that I was not in fact Aunt Maria and so I did...several times. I told her I was Jennifer and not Maria and she then told me how much she loved me, all while continuing to hold me. It was at this point I became concerned because I still had Sam on my hip and so I called out to Molly to come help me...but she must have not heard me or was in shock because she continued to sit!

side note: I truly believe that Molly would have come running if she realized the death grip that this girl had on me. I still believe her when she said she was in shock...we are still friends...and I will continue to adore her kids and put my life in danger for her if needs be.

So it wasn't long before the caretaker untangled the girls arms from my torso and I told her as she pleaded to stay with me that I would see her later. She insisted on knowing when and I said later in the day. Luckily, that was good enough for her and she went onto to her picnic under the arbor.

I then returned to my friends and out of politeness, we inconspicuously began laughing. Hysterically. Molly then praised me for my calmness and Chris who all the while nursing her baby, called me an angel. As for the rest of my day, I have been repeatedly humming the tune "How do you solve a problem like Maria" from the Sound of Music...go figure!


Stay tuned for PART TWO of my day...oh, yes there's more!

Graduation Celebration.

My little brother just graduated from High School and it makes me think how quickly time goes by...and how quickly I am becoming old! 

Trevor is an amazing person and although I should be the role model, he is often the bigger and better example.  He is compassionate and helpful and pretty good looking...I took pictures to prove it!  See what I mean?!!?

 

Congratulations, T!  

Now go and do great things, I'll be cheering for you!

xoxo

 Sis

From The Secret Vault.

So much has been going on around here in the last 2 MONTHS!

Seriously, two months...sheesh!

So, after digging through all of my unfinished blog entries I found this one.

Mothers Day weekend was shared with my favorite mothers.  My mom and I drove up to see Grandma and picked up Auntie on the way to join in on the fun!  A weekend of just us girls, it was perfect. 

We filled our weekend with shopping, eating and talking!

We went to Petaluma, enjoying a bit of antique shopping.  Among our findings was a potty training seat that was identical to the one Grandma used with her kids!  Having boys, I especially loved the creative duck "shield"!

In Sonoma, we found this bread tray made from a wine barrel...very rustic and resourceful. I love it!  I want it, but am thinking of making one myself.  Or bribing one of my uncles to make one for me!!  It would mean that much more to me having it handmade.  wink. wink.

Topping it all off was the wonderful food we ate!  Of all of the places, I enjoyed Buchon Bakery the most.  I gained 5 pounds just looking at all of the delicious pastries and let me just confirm it was so worth it!

Grandma had a muffin with a crumble topping that tempted me.
But not as much as this little cutie!  Yes, that is cream cheese on this danish.  Flaky and perfectly sweetened.  Perfect.  I must find out how to make these seeing as my visits to Yountville are not nearly as often as I'd like and now need.

We then took a stroll by The Bardessono and enjoyed Lucy's Garden, sweetly named after my Great Grandma.  

I felt inspired.

It was a lovely getaway and I could have never done it without my wonderful husband who only flinched a little bit when presented with the idea.  I only had one request before I left...

Me:  Please be nice to the boys while I am gone.  Have fun!

Leon:  We will.

Me: On second thought...don't be too nice.  I want them to miss me and love me more when I come home.

Not only did I come home to happy boys, but boys with freshly trimmed hair and clean clothes! 

They presented me with this display of freshly cut flowers and handmade cards, as well as local strawberries and dinner.  

I am really grateful to have encouraging women in my life.  They help me and inspire me to be my best.  Who couldn't use a little bit of that now and again?!!?