An "F" in Babysitting

We have some sweet friends who, very sadly, are moving away. Tonight, their next door neighbors threw a going away party for the block to say goodbye. I went over to their house to keep their children while they were at the party.

As they walked out the door, they told me to read to the baby for a few minutes before putting her in her crib and that the three year old was occupied and would be fine until I was finished.

You would think that I would have checked on her anyway, right? I'm a former teacher and a mom for crying out loud! But, this was an adorable girl with a cute nightgown on and a big pink bow in her hair--those kind don't get into trouble...

Fast forward eight minutes...

I come out of the baby's room to find the 3 year old saying, "Look, I colored my arms." This precious bow-head had colored her arms and her legs in black Sharpie marker--the one that they had been using to label all of their moving boxes.

I went next door to get my friend. After all, she had to see what a good job I was doing in the nine minutes since she had walked out the door! Besides..it was a good photo op!

Needless to say, the little girl had another bath. After much scrubbing, that Sharpie marker can still be seen! It will look so nice with her church dress tomorrow!

There's Just Something About This....

That I absolutely love! Absolutely Beautiful Things lives up to its name...always!

Friday's Favorite Things

1. Enstrom's Milk Chocolate Almond Toffee--My mouth is watering just thinking of it!
2. Wearing an apron while cooking
3. Great big iced teas--the special kind served at luncheons--like my friend Katy makes
4. Mint cocolate chip ice cream
5. Good salads
6. Crossword puzzles
7. Smocked children's clothing
8. My husband in "business casual"
9. Little girls with big old bows
10. J. McLaughlin clothing

My Kitchen

Do you know how much time I spend in my kitchen? It seems like that is where the majority of my day is spent. Just as soon as one meal is over, the next one is up, or the dishwasher needs to be emptied. I'm not complaining; I really don't mind it all that much. It's just a large part of every day life. When people ask what has been going on, I want to have something new and exciting to say. But, in truth, the majority of what has been going on is cleaning the kitchen, unloading the dishwasher, preparing a meal, eating the meal, cleaning the kitchen, unloading the dishwasher, preparing a meal...you get the picture. So, all of the exciting events that take place happen in between those tasks.

I remember my sister-in-law used to always have Bible verses that sat in the window above her kitchen sink. For a long time, she had a notecard that said, "Pray First." Before I had children, I used to look at those and think that she had found a nice display spot. But, now I get it. Raising her three children, that's where she was all the time. She's twelve years older than I am, so she lived this stage before me. She got it--if there was something that she wanted to ingrain into her head and heart, the best place to have a reminder would be the place where she spent the most time.

All of this inspires me to make that time--that large chunk of my time--that time where mental grumbling comes easily--to count in some way. Instead of using it just lost in thought, maybe I could memorize some scripture, pray for my husband, or sing with my children. And, most of all, maybe I need to look at that aspect of my days differently. Serving my family is what I want to be doing--my greatest joy. Having meals together as a family, in truth, is the most special part of life...why would I think that excitement only happens outside of that? Because it's more interesting to tell people?

Don't get me wrong...I have a wonderful life... full of fun activities, great experiences and family and friends that I love...but most of the time I'm right here doing KP duty. And do you know what? Now that I think about it, there's no place that I would rather be.....except maybe New York City!

If I were a Summer Purse

If I were a summer purse, this is what I would look like.

Nothing Says Summer Like Tomato Pie

Tomato Pie is one of my all time favorite summer treats. Now that the tomato scare is over (I think), I need to make one of these. Here is the recipe.

1 cup Bisquick
1/3 cup milk
4-6 tomatoes, diced
basil, chives, lemon pepper, Mrs. Dash
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Mix Bisquick and milk and put it in a greased pie plate. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.

Add tomatoes and seasonings.

Mix mayonnaise and cheese together and spread on the top.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Oh, and usually when I make this, I double the recipe and cook it in a 9 x 13!

Love These...

I love these bunny slippers...always have!

A Mama Told Me

I am part of a group that is called Creative Homemakers...I know, it's very June Cleaver sounding. This is a group of dear friends who are very special to me. We study three books a year..one on marriage, one on children, and one on homemaking. Monthly, we meet to discuss the book and encourage one another along as we experience our own personal ups and downs. A few of us have started a blog with various items of interest. Come take a peek at A Mama Told Me and see for yourself!

Movie of the Weekend

On Golden Pond. We own it but haven't watched it in years; I had forgotten how great it is.

Katherine Hepburne plays the most lovely character in the movie. She loves the people around her despite their faults. I also admired her character's joyful demeanor.

Henry Fonda is hilariously grouchy; my husband and I just cracked up the whole time. The whole father-daughter relationship was sad to me. How much they've missed out on. I laughed and cried throughout the movie.

It was an especially sweet movie to watch on our anniversary because Katherine Hepburne and Henry Fonda's characters have such a sweet relationship; they adore each other. The way they depended on each other struck me, too. It was neat to see that deep abiding trust that so many years of marriage gradually built.

I'll definitely recommend this as a do-over for anyone who hasn't seen it in a long time; it's really dear.

Twelfth Anniversary

My husband and I are off on a 24 hour getaway to a fancy hotel to celebrate our anniversary...the children are dispersed, our bags are packed, and the dog is at a neighbor's. I'm so excited!!

Ten Favorite Things

Ten of my favorite things in no certain order:
1. New York City
2. White matte lasse coverlets
3. Receiving magazines in the mail
4. Ralph Lauren
5. When people call me "Sweetie/Honey/Darlin'"etc.
6. Black and white tile floors set on the diagonal
7. Having dinner in people's homes
8. The library
9. Funny people (I married the funniest)
10. Family

Resume Rigor

It was a challenging night. My poor brain is tired.

You see, I would like to tutor a little bit starting in the fall, so I had to put together a resume. It has been at least thirteen years since I have done that, and it was hard. What was the name of that committe I served on? How many children were in my classroom? What was it that I did before my current profession of personal chef/answerer of all questions/dishwasher executive/laundry expert/room-cleaning consultant/grocery shopper/birthday party planner/play coordinator/all-time diaper changer?

But....I've done it, and it's finished. I'm not sure if it's good, but it is complete.

Good night.