You are Invited

Next week I'm having some girlfriends over for

Friday Night Happy Hour

The weather looks like it will be nice so we'll be able to spend the evening outdoors on our patio.


We will enjoy an outdoor fire, munchies and cocktails.

I LOVE to entertain this time of year!

Keeping with the outdoor theme ....




These are my simple and sweet invites

{yes, they can be redeemed Friday night :) }

I thought it would be fun to "treat" the girls to something fun rather than just a random email inviting them over for the evening.

Hey, kids can't have all the fun of the season.

These brought a smile to their faces.

Last year for Halloween I made up s'more bags using the ghost Peeps.
My students and neighborhood childrened loved them.

{so darn cute!}

Yep, I'll be making those again this year as they were a huge hit!

Since it's not quite Halloween, I tried to go with just a pumpkin theme and use orange and brown {it looks black in the photos} ribbons.
I used what I already had on hand.

The actual invitation is somewhat hidden in the photo since I didn't want my personal information shown for all to see. I used a pumpkin die cut {orange with white polka dots} and printed the time and date in brown ink.

Fun and festive!

For safety purposes {ha,ha} I tested these out ;)

yummy!

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Autumn Eve

Let's start the new season off with a hearty {and yummy} breakfast. I'm not sure if this is more breakfast or more dessert. Either way, it's delicious! 

You can thank me later :)

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal


~Hearty


~Yummy


and semi ~ healthy!

1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup syrup {don't use the good stuff}
2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup dried blueberries {or any dried fruit of choice}
3/4 cup diced apple
1 cup low fat milk
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 large egg

Combine all ingredients and stir well. Let this rest for at least 20 minutes. This allows them to combine and moisten. Divide into four greased small bowls. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden brown.



* I make a double batch for the work week and just reheat it in the morning. It's a great way to start the day and smells wonderful! :)

Enjoy!

* I don't remember where I found the original recipe. I've adjusted the recipe to please our tastes. This recipe is very forgiving and welcomes new ideas.

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Back from the DARK

It has been a l o n g 7 and a half days (whose counting!) of living on the Prairie, but we are back and enjoying ELECTRICITY!

Let me just tell you that flushing a toilet has become a luxury and once power was restored, it was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. I will never take this for granted again. Most of us not living in the "city" have wells. Once the power goes ... so do they! Ugh, double ugh!!!

I have much to share, but will have to wait a day or two until we are back to normal. Thankfully our home is fine but we lost several large branches and our yard is a sea of leaves, small branches and debris.

However, I didn't want to wait to thank those that have emailed me, called or text over the past several days. Sadly, we lost a lot of tower strength and my communication was very limited.

With giddy delight, I introduce my new besties ... the power guys! They are from all over the United States. They are gift giving gentlemen that are working 16 hour shifts far from their families. A big thank you for their hard work and their families for sharing them when our state needs them so desperately. We were told that without outside help, we wouldn't have power for 3~4 months. That should give you an idea of how hard Connecticut was hit by Irene.

When they arrived in our sub division I wanted to kiss them! In fact, I think my husband wanted to kiss them. Actually, there was booth set up and a very long line to show such gratitude! This little *adventure* took its tole on us and taught me a few lessons. I'll share those next.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Enjoy those around you ~ that's what's most important.

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Prepping for Irene ...

Last night we went out to our favorite little spot on the water. The boat yard next door was hopping! In prepping for the storm the marinas around here have been pulling boats from their slips. The highways have been filled the past couple of days with trailers bringing boats of all sizes and varieties to safer grounds.

*I took these photos with my point and shoot so they aren't the greatest.



It's somewhat hard to see, but the lift {the Dodson Boat Yard} was hard at work the entire time we were there.


On a *normal* summer evening this marina is packed with boats. Often there are parties peppered along the pier on the boats. It has such a fun and festive feel. Not last night, it had almost an eerie and lonely feel.

These boats have been *parked* in the parking lot as space and time is very limited.

A maze of boats.

When we arrived you couldn't even see the front of the restaurant through all the boats. Talk about using every available space!

{I took this when we were leaving so it was dark}

While I was running errands yesterday I watched several of the submarines head out for safety. They are much safer underwater than rocking against a pier.

I've had contact with my son this morning. All is well for now in his area of NC. Thanks Corey for the update last night. I really appreciate it!

We are clearing off our patio this morning and securing a few other odds and ends as we await the storms arrival.

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Summer has flown by ...

 I can't believe that summer is coming to end in a few short days.

School starts next week. They have delayed our start due to the hurricane that will soon be arriving.

I feel like I've been going non stop for weeks but have little to show for it when I look back on the days. Do you ever feel like this?

Many fun days have been spent at the beach club. It's always a great day when you're with friends, sunshine and a good book! I'm going to miss the sand between my toes.



A good friend and I treated ourselves to a relaxing day at the Ocean House in Watch Hill. After a day of pampering and lunching I was ready for a nap on the beach ;)




Our summer routine always includes Farmer's markets. There is just something about filling my basket with fresh goodies, and preparing them for my family. It just makes my heart happy!



Despite a nasty storm that was brewing, we enjoyed a great concert at Jonathan Edwards Winery with our very good friends. Ben Taylor {James Taylor and Carly Simon's son} and guest, Arnold McCuller, filled the vineyard with their amazing voices! As an added bonus, the concert also benefited Chikumbuso. I have one of their amazing bags that I use to tote my beach items.

I made my yummy roasted antipasto platter ~ filled with fresh veggies, cheeses, tapenade, and freshly baked bread. So good! We have several courses of great food and wine as the night wore on. Extra time was spent on the treadmill the very next morning.




I've been working on a few dresses. No, there will not be a design collection with my name on it anytime soon, but I do have a few cute dresses to wear around my home {with the shades drawn} :) My "skills" in the sewing department are limited! Ha.



Lastly, but most importantly, we celebrated a special anniversary last week. Kevin and I don't normally exchange gifts but rather go out to a nice meal together. However, since this was a milestone, we bent the rules. He *really* surprised me with a ring for my right hand. I wasn't expecting him to put such thought into that little box. I guess he does listen when I ramble on and on and on endlessly ~ on a regular basis :)

Today I am spending the day worrying about my son. He is in North Carolina attending school{as many of you know.} This mama wants to go down there, scoop him up, and keep him safe and sound until the storm is over. Nicholas has assured me numerous times that he has a plan and will be just fine. Probably, but once a mama ~ always a mama! We too are expecting Irenes powerful arrival. The stores have been packed! Many are out of generators, flashlights and bottled water.  I planned ahead so we are all set ~ good thing we visited wine country earlier this summer! ;)

To all of my friends on the East coast, you're in my thoughts and I'm praying for your safety!

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Coastal charmers

These are the hidden treats of summer on the coast...

Seashells that are plentiful on the shore each and every visit.

~ and~

magnificent hydrangeas with massive blooms.

Instant seasonal beauty for the home!

My shells needed a little *some special* so I dressed them up for a dinner party. 

I chose a few and gave them a little face lift.

Perfect!

{and SO inexpensive compared to Pottery Barn's}

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Not picture perfect

We've all had this conversation with our husbands ...

I'm always the one behind the camera. When I'm gone {not happening anytime soon} no one is going to remember what I looked like.  So, it would be nice if you took some photos while on vacation.

Here is the result of our conversation ...

Try not to laugh too hard

Despite the lovely photos  

{these pictures remind me of the faces on pain level charts posted on the wall in doctor's office ~ how badly do you feel?} 

we had a great evening downtown in Paso Robles. They had live music in their sweet little town square with food, beer, and wine vendors. It was obviously an event that families, neighbors and friends thoroughly enjoy each week. How fun to have this to look forward to every Friday night. Yet another reason to move ;)

I think we need something like this in our town square every Friday night ... right after we get a town square that is!

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