Another Shot

This was our second outing in two days. I get the luxury of taking my time with him.....thank goodness, because right now, he is sooooo, well, ummm, 3!!!!! And acts like it. Three is much worse than two. At least for me. Since he and I are SOOOOOOO much a like, we argue like cats and dogs. Plus he is just talks pretty much 24-7. To anyone and anything. (We had a LONG talk about strangers the other day...)

Since the fall colors only last a couple weeks and especially if it's nice...I'm out there enjoying Every. Single. Minute. I love red vines and luckily I saw a huge one at my friends old house (who now built a huge new one out of town, so we weren't in any danger of disturbing anyone!)

wine colored leaves. my favorite!

Bright Spot

His mama is having surgery today. We spent yesterday convincing this little one that pictures would be a good idea. He arrived crying and left crying. Tough day. It's a good thing he falls for a few of the standard tricks... though not without work!

B's mom.. you are in my prayers today.

Saturday Morning Light

I've said it once and I'll say it again...early morning light is soooo beautiful. Unfortunately that means dragging complete strangers from their bed and roaming all over kingdom come. It was worth it though. To me it was and them as well hopefully!!!!

He was a natural. And I had soooo much fun!!

I had fun with all of them!!!!!

And you can see where the kids get their looks!!!

The was the moment right after mom had a few tears. There are always tears when mom's are concerned. Seriously, who wouldn't shed a few when you see your baby grown up with the morning sun shining through his hair. It's impossible.

Blue Cheese Buffalo Chicken

I've been really slacking in this area of my life as well. The dinner part. Basically every normality I know has not been normal the last few months. But I'm getting there.

This was one really really really good tasting recipe so I thought I would share. It's like chicken wings without the bones. FANTASTIC. It is fried, which I do about twice a year, so I chowed it down and will pay for it later!

4 whole Chicken Breasts
1 cup Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
¼ cups White Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Paprika
¼ cups White Sugar
2 Tablespoons Tabasco
¼ cups Blue Cheese Crumbles
1 cup Canola Oil

Preparation Instructions

Heat canola oil on stove until ready to for frying.
Mix flour and salt in bowl. Smother chicken breasts in flour mixture. Cook in hot oil for 7-10 minutes on each side until golden brown.
While chicken is cooking, mix together vinegar, sugar, Tabasco and paprika over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
When chicken is done cooking, remove from oil and set on paper towel to soak up excess oil. Then submerge in sauce. Coat well. Top with blue cheese crumbles.
Also great served in pieces over a salad and blue cheese dressing.

For a Printable Recipe go here.

How Many Teeth Tall Are You??

So.....I've been slacking a bit lately. As far as fun projects go. It's been a while. I have a million excuses, but listing excuses for why we haven't done fun things like this is a bit of a waste!

Most of you know by now, that my little one is infatuated with Dinosaurs right now. Infatuated is a nice way to put it. I've learned more in this past year about the mighty lizards than I ever thought I would know. He now believes that he will be the one to bring them back to life. (no he hasn't seen Jurassic Park....and yes there was a ginormous fight over that fact here not long ago)...this is a concept he's come up with all on his own. "I'm gonna make them alive again mom!!"

So the other day we were reading a book and in it was a life sized picture of a t-rex tooth. My kiddo is a major book worm. He can't quite get the "reading" part down, but he memorizes what a book says in just a few minutes. Anyway.... I thought that it would be awesome to measure things around the house equivalent to the size of t-rex teeth.

T-rex teeth are approximately 6-8-inches long. And Park is about 5 1/2 T-Rex Teeth tall!!! (Give or take a few inches!)

No I didn't make him hold that book. He carries one most every where he goes....he just waits to find people that he can "teach" and yes he's covered from head to toe in dino gear. You should see his shoes.....

Double The Fun!

This was my first and ever set of newborn twins. Identical. Whoa! It was great! And Whoa... it's amazing how much work is involved!!! My hat is off to parents of multiples.

So, one of the first things their mom said to me was that she couldn't tell them apart on a regular basis. So this is a test for her. In the originals they have their names embroidered on their shirts.... but since I never use names here, I took them out. Now... mom, can you tell which is which?

We had a comedian on our hands as well!

And try as I might, I couldn't get both of them to track me at the same time. But... I did witness each of them roll over. They are only 9 weeks old. That's pretty amazing!!!!!

Gotta love the bum shots!

You Never Know What You're Going To Get

This was one of the first shots I got with her. I love it. It so, little toddler-ish.

Ever since I've been taking her photos, I know she's a happy smiley girl... but I whip out the big black beast.... and I boy do I have my work cut out for me! Totally worth it! Seriously though... who needs anything more than those little pigtails. I giggle every time I see them!!!!

He Was a Talker

Well actually he was a mimic-er. He would repeat each and every word you said! It was pretty awesome. I fall in love with his little teeth every time I see him... they are just so adorable and when he smiles it just makes your whole day.

Oh and it didn't hurt that we had the MOST beautiful light ever yesterday!!!!

Happy Last Weekend

I find that there is something perfect about waking up, getting out, getting a hot cup of coffee and sitting to watch the sun warm up the grass in the morning.
It's the last offical weekend of summer. I'm taking it all in!

Can You Resist?

Do you think there are very many people that could resist a face like this?

Or eyes like this?

Or a smile like this?...................................... I sure don't!!!!

P.S.... you know you're smack dan in the very middle of one of those phases when mom wears these! (I have three pair...what can we say, it makes them happy)

Brandied Peaches

It's just about the end of peach season. Or maybe the peach season has already ended. Or maybe it's just beginning. I'm not really sure, as we are not in prime peach growing areas here on the prairie. All I know is that this time of year is the time when the farmers market is full of fresh beautiful peaches.

I only buy a few at a time as I like them fresh as opposed to canned.

I also found the perfect dishes to eat my peaches from while I was in South Carolina at the crazy antique store. They are milk glass and I got set of two of them, though I wished they had more. As I grow older I'm finding I'm more attracted to plain simple colors for dishes...that way I can spice them up with whatever I cook!!!!!

So here's what I cooked. Brandied peaches. It's the most simple thing ever and in the early fall days, peaches that are all liqueured up are the best treat in the crisp evenings. (I never have to worry about my baby wanting any as the only thing he truly likes for dessert is vanilla ice cream.)

Here's what you do:

(for 4 servings)

4 Peaches sliced and set aside

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 jiggers peach brandy

1 dash of cinnamon

1 dash of nutmeg

1 dash of imitation vanilla

Melt butter and brown over medium heat. Add sliced peaches. Cover in brandy. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla and cook for about 4-5 minutes, just until peaches turn a little soft, but not overly so.

Spoon over ice cream or eat alone. MMMMMM.

Perfect Patch

It was the first time in 4 years that I've gone 4 days without taking a picture.
I felt as if I had an arm missing. I felt exposed because I had nothing to hide behind.
But.....
It was a blessing.
After I cried a little ( I really did that, you can ask the poor woman I canceled on last Saturday...)
After I got over it.
I was relieved.
I was happy.
I got to spend some time with my kiddo doing things we ordinarily would not get to do.
It was nice. All is good.

My replacement arrived last night. Tonight I found the perfect patch of light. And my muse looked perfect in it. I was looking for green as next week is officially the last day of summer. I have to relish in the last few days.

Just Them...

My real intensions for the trip to the country last week were to take photos of these two. For the first time this year actually. Time flys and it's hard to to catch sometimes!