A little excitement on Monday afternoon

I ask all of you to please pray for my neighbors down the street. Their home caught fire this afternoon. I can only imagine how devastating this must be. It looks as though the home was saved, our Fire and Police Dept once again were very efficient. I have heard the fire began in the attic.

It was scary to look down the street speculating with the neighbors as to what must be happening. Times are difficult enough, I hope this family will recover quickly.

Today is your last chance!

This is it!

Today is the last day!

You must be entered by midnight tonight!

The prize an artificial pumpkin

with your initial carved on it!
(Be sure not to use real candles inside!)
To be entered, become a follower and
leave a comment here

with your email or link to your blog. That is it.
Winner will be notified
Sept. 2, 2009

See side bar for more details!

August 29,2005

Our hearts and thoughts are with all of our family and friends in both New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Joe and I grew up there and most of our family still remains in the area. Although our loved ones did not go through the horror we witnessed at the Superdome and surrounding areas, the damage was devastating all the same. We will forever relive the horror of not knowing the safety of so many of them for days. Of many of them having to be physically cut from the debris.

Most of all my heart breaks for New Orleans. I had the privilege of coming of age in that magical city. There will always be a part of me there.

It is a grand place and I know it will be again.

Foodie Friday!

Welcome Y'all!

So glad you joined us for Foodie Friday again this week!

We are on a dessert kick today.

We are going to make positively sinful cream cheese brownies

and an adorable little candy!

Let's start with the adorable and simple little candy.

What does this look like to you?

Bacon and eggs?

Isn't this darlin?
Well you can whip these out easy easy!
Shopping List:
pretzels
white chocolate melting chips
yellow chocolate covered candies
( you know the ones. _&_)

Place two pretzels side by side on wax paper. You may want to have several pairs lined up on the wax paper so that you can work quickly as your chocolate will harden fast! Melt chocolate and drizzle over each pair of pretzels in the shape of a fried egg. Then place the yellow chocolate candy in the center. Allow to COMPLETELY cool before moving!

Now for the cream cheese brownies.

Shopping List:
Brownies baked and cooled
( your choice out of a box or baked from scratch)

One 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened

1/4 c. butter, softened

2 tsp. vanilla

1 lb. pkg. powdered sugar

Beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Blend in vanilla. Sift powdered sugar. Gradually beat together powdered sugar and mixture. Then spread mixture over Brownies.

Top with finely chopped pecans and enjoy!
Just be sure to have a BIG glass of milk

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Be sure to visit Gollum for more Foodie Fridays!!!

Feast Among the Beast

Feast Among the BeastsSaturday, August 29, 2009
Dinner • Cocktails • Desserts • Dancing
Located at the Birmingham Zoo's Junior League of Birmingham — Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo

Cocktails begin at 6:30 pm
Seated Dinner begins at 8:00 pm
Catering by Kathy G

$250 - Individuals
$500 - Couples
$2000 - Table of Eight
For the first time ever!Purchase your tickets online.

An online auction featuring art, jewelry and other items from local venues and businesses as well as vacation getaways and special Zoo packages support the animals. The auction ends Friday, September 4th.
To bid on these unique items visit our online auction.

For more information please call Stephanie Martin at 205.397.3859 or email specialevents@birminghamzoo.com.
Proceeds from this event benefit the Birmingham Zoo.

Hope to see you there!

Local Candidates

Last week I attended a fundraiser for Cam Ward

It was a great event.

If you are local, I urge you to check Cam

out and give him your vote.

Here are some of the pictures from the event.

(OK so mostly of the decorations and food )

Chocolate Mousse

Bruschetta

(this was chilled Thai Coconut soup)

We also had quiche and wine. It was a terrible stormy night, yet a lot of people braved torrential downpours to come out and support Cam and make a donation to his campaign.

Thank you to the Blue Phrog Art Gallery for having us,

and Matt Fridy you know I think you are awesome!

Foodie Friday!

Be sure to visit Gollum for more FOODIE FRIDAYS!

We are making Life preserver cupcakes!

SHOPPING LIST:

12 vanilla cupcakes

2 containers of vanilla icing

12 plain mini doughnuts

1 Fruit roll up (red)

First, one container of the icing should be turned "water blue" using a gel food color so that it isn't diluted too much. Then ice each cupcake blue

Then take about half of the other container into a bowl and microwave for about 20 seconds. You want it to be melted but not runny. Dip each doughnut into the icing and cover. OR you can place on a rack with wax paper beneath and pour over to coat. Both work well. Then place in the refrigerator for approx. 30 minutes to set the icing again. Once removed you will need to make certain that the holes are still clear. If not use something (I used a turkey baster) to press down and clear the holes.

Then roll the fruit roll up out and cut into strips

Place each strip onto the doughnut.

I used a skewer to help lay it flat

Continue placing strips in a "life preserver" pattern

Then TaDa!

For this event I needed to double the recipe so I used some as just "water" mixed in. I kind of like the way that looked!

Thank Y'all for dropping by!

Tablescape Thursday

Thank you so much for coming by for TT this week! Be sure to visit Susan for more tablescapes this week!

My friend Jamie sent me some pictures of her son's Spider man party. I was so tickled and thought she did such a great job. Here is her party!

How cute is this cake?

Y'all drop back by for an incredible Foodie Friday! You won't want to miss! Be sure to register for the contest before you leave!

See side bar for details!

Tuesday Tidbit

Hope Y'all are having a great week!

It is crazy around here and it is only Monday night!

I shared with all of you my fears and worries of Olivia going back to school, but it has been GREAT so far! We could not be happier!

I worried that I would pine for her, and of course I do, but I look so forward to her getting off the bus every afternoon and hearing what she did all day. It is so exciting for The Prince and I to await her arrival. We have her snack ready and listening ears on to be sure we don't miss one detail of her day. So I thank all of you friends for your prayers and love! It is you that helped ease such a transition!

So what does the Prince do with himself while she is away? He plays baseball on the Wii.

It is too funny! He is most likely the only two year old that doesn't watch cartoons, ONLY sports. ONLY football and baseball! He runs around singing the FOX sports theme! Goodness gracious!

We got a package from London !!!!

Which was very exciting for the children.

We have precious friends across the big blue ocean and recently, on a trip to the USA, their plane was forced to land. They were STRANDED for some time in Iceland. So they were sure to include a pencil from Iceland for us!

Well, that is it for today!

Y'all come back

and DON'T forget to register for the drawing

(see side bar for details!)

Foodie Friday tease and Pool party

We had a back to school bash pool party this weekend that was so much fun!

Guess summer is officially over now that school has started and summer parties are done.

Here are some pictures from the event

and a tease for Foodie Friday!

life preserver cupcakes!

Recipe and step by step "how to" coming on Foodie Friday!

Foodie Friday!

It's Foodie Friday!!!

Be sure to stop by and see Gollum for more FF!

This week we are making cinnamon rolls!

This will take about two hours.

SHOPPING LIST:

2 cups of warm water

1/2 cup sugar

two packages of dry yeast

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup Canola oil

6 to 7 cups of flour

cinnamon/ sugar mix (1/2 cinnamon 1/2 sugar)

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let sit for a minute. Add the sugar and salt. Mix. Add the cooking oil , 2 eggs, 2 cups of flour and beat until smooth.
Stir in 3 more cups of flour.

Begin kneading the dough, adding the final cup of flour. If the dough seems too sticky, knead in more flour, a quarter to a half cup at a time.
Let the dough "rest" for 15 to 20 minutes.

Roll the dough into a rectangle that's 24 to 30 inches long by about 16 inches wide. Spread softened butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Starting at the wide end, roll into a log.
Cut the cinnamon rolls into equal sized slices (about one inch wide each I make larger rolls so I cut much larger slices)

Place into two greased 9 x 13 pans. Put in a warm place to rise for 45 minutes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then turn out of the pans.

Then for the Icing

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

milk or cream (2 to 4 tablespoons)

See my cinnamon roll candle?

You can barely tell the difference!

It smells like the real thing!

See http://www.wildflowerwax.blogspot.com/

First Day of school!

The Princess has been home schooled for the last two years.

Today, she went back to school.

Here is her first day!

Trying to play catch up!

It has been so crazy around here! As most of you know, my husband had surgery on Thursday. It was eventful to say the least! BUT, I think he is ready to go back to work tomorrow and get things back to normal after a month and 1/2 of craziness. I already have TT and FF ready to post this week, so we won't miss participating this time!

Be sure to come back and visit!

This week is so BUSY for us. The children start school. We have meet the teacher on Wed. and then first full day is Thursday. This is so exciting for The Princess as she is returning to "real" school after two years of Home school.

I am also busy decorating and writing for the next issue of the magazine. I am excited because I have been asked to write another piece in addition to my SUGAH you can do it! So be on the look out!

We did get such a treat during all of that last week. My Aunt Beth makes the most fabulous jelly in three states. Blueberry is my children's favorite! GUESS what they got!

Bubble wrap too?

They were beyond excited!!!!!

EUREKA!

We have almost finished the first jar already!! Can you believe that?
THANK YOU AUNT BETH!!!!!!!!!!!

Y'all be sure to drop back by!

prayers needed

We will be leaving in a couple

of hours for the hospital for Joe's surgery.

Please keep him in your prayers.

Much love!

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

So, as I was getting everyone ready to walk out the door to run some errands, I made the mistake of dressing my son BEFORE I dressed myself.

What difference could this possibly make?

As soon as he was dressed, he picked up his Nemo and black lab and rushed to the front door. I said wait sweetheart Mommy has to get ready and I walked into my room. Following (hot on my heels) he never stopped pointing to the door. I go!!! I go!!! So I quickly put my pants on and no sooner than they hit my waist, my two year old tapping his foot, both arms full of stuffed animals, said impatiently all done, I go! I walked passed him (rolling on the floor crying obviously devastated that we were not yet going) to the bathroom to brush my hair. As I put my brush back in the drawer I turned to yet another toe tapping all done?

What is with that?

I sure hope this isn't an insight to the future!

His poor wife.

I can see it now.

ALL DONE?

I GO!!!!

Oh well,

Men are from Mars Women are from Venus!

Pirate or Peter?

I think I have mentioned before my children adore playing Peter Pan. It is by far the favorite "pretend" game.

They get quite elaborate with it. (I am sure this is fueled by the imagination of my 10 year old. Sadly, I sense this coming to a startling, grinding halt.)

Anyway, they eat never food, and fight the evil Captain Hook.

BUT, things have changed. No longer does the Prince want to be Peter and lead his legion of Lost Boys with his trusty "Tinkerbell"

No, now Captain Hook is much more his thing. He wants to kidnap Wendy and laugh menacingly.

Yes, that would be my dishtowel on his head.

That and the Kool aid add an element of fierceness, don't you think?

Then there is the lovely Wendy/ Tinkerbell

She is always so happy and so full of life.

Even when Capt. Hook has her bound to walk the plank!

She starts school next week, thus our play days are numbered. How we are going to miss her precious giggles ringing through the house during the day.

I also know that soon the phones will ring and those giggles will be directed to the cute boy and funny story of the day. I only hope that those will still include me. Well, at least hopefully they will be shared with me!

Oh, think it might run in the family?

Y'all drop back by soon!