Simple Summer Supper

I'm not food stylist or food photographer, but you get it, right?

Sometimes it's best not to overthink things. Like dinner.

I was out of ideas for supper, Hubby was golfing and I wanted to have a quick easy meal.

I had a wealth of pasta on hand, but I didn't want another tomato sauce-laden meal. I wanted pasta without sauce, light and easy. I had a bunch of grape tomatoes on hand, so I just cut them in half, cooked them in olive oil and garlic with some onions, and mixed it in with some bow-tie pasta. Parmesan cheese and fresh basil from the garden finished it off.

Light and simple and easy and a break from pasta with tomato sauce, which has become a frugal staple in this house. Improvising solved a meal dilemna that night and didn't cut into the food budget by succumbing to take-out!

Vermont Garden

When I was in Vermont, I came across the prettiest garden! It was a kitchen garden outside the Timbers restaurant at Sugarbush ski area's Lincoln Peak. I feel in love with its organized neatness, mountain prettiness, the birch trellises and the planting patterns. I wish my garden was this beautiful! Enjoy the photos and I hope you are as inspired as I was by its beauty.

Vintage TV



Within a week, two things reminded me of how much I love everything old, even TV.
The Hallmark Channel had a "Lucy" marathon, and then Andy Griffith passed away.

I have always loved "I Love Lucy." When I was a little girl, my mom always had the re-runs on, and I grew up laughing at Lucy's antics. I still enjoy watching "Lucy" re-runs when they are on, and I always encouraged Big Girl to watch them too. During the recent marathon, Big Girl was sitting on the couch, watching them on her own, and laughing and laughing. It made me happy to see her enjoying it. Good TV really does stand the test of time, and span generations.

As a mom, I can get pretty aggravated when the Disney Channel overtakes my house. Although Big Girl seems to enjoy many of the programs, she did say something interesting in the car one day:

"Mom, I sometimes think when I'm watching something on the Disney Channel, 'Would Walt Disney approve of this?'"

I asked her what made her think of that.

"Every since I read his biography, I remember how he made things for families. And sometimes Disney isn't appropriate, or for families."

I told her she was right, and that I was so happy to hear her say that.

As much as I love Disney things (and Disney World!), the Disney Channel definitely disappoints me often. It seems too "old" for tweens, much of the time, and many of the characters have sassy attitudes and the mouths that go along with that.

And many of the programs present characters who walk around thinking, acting and dressing like rock stars instead of kids. And kids idolize these characters.

I do let Big Girl watch the Disney Channel, because as someone who follows pop culture, and remembers what it was like to be a kid, I want her to somewhat be in the loop. That said, I voice my displeasure when I think something isn't right, or nice, so she can recognize it. It seems to have worked.

I also try to create a healthy balance by exposing her to what I consider good TV, and some of it includes old stuff, like "Lucy." When Andy Griffith passed away, I thought about searching out some re-runs of his old show -- although I have to admit I didn't enjoy it as much as a kid. We do watch "Little House on the Prairie" re-runs because of my Laura fascination, but I avoid certain depressing episodes (and always, always, the two "Sylvia" episodes which involve rape).

There is another show that has particularly appealed to Big Girl: "The Brady Bunch." I thought she might like it, so we got her some DVDs a few years ago and we have really enjoyed watching them as a family. We have all the seasons now except the last one. It's fun to re-watch this show now, as an adult and parent. (Oddly enough, my husband and I were shocked when Mike & Carol let Marcia just go out on a date in 8th grade, by herself, walking home alone... Seems like such a ridiculous thing to allow now with all the psychos out there.)

I'm always on the lookout for decent family entertainment. Big Girl did go through a "Full House" phase, watching the re-runs. I'm thinking of trying to get her to sample "Gilligan's Island," another favorite of my youth. I'm sure "Bewitched" might be fun too.

And of course, she clearly does enjoy "Lucy," and asked to watch the DVD when we were in Vermont recently (where there is no cable). We had a bag of DVDs, and she still chose the vintage show.

If any TV producers are reading this, please, please, please create some appropriate programming for families and kids. We need decent laughs today, fun family stuff. We need a Mayberry. We need a cast of characters who remind us how to be decent individuals. We need something we can all watch together, and all enjoy. There's not a lot of that out there lately.

Mom's Summer Reading

I don't have a lot of time to read. While my friends are devouring the "50 Shades" trilogy -- which doesn't appeal to me, in any way (and not because of the *ahem* sex, but the story itself) -- I was just hoping that I could read something this summer. It is hard to find the time to read anything of length anymore, with little ones buzzing around, and at night I'm just too tired to concentrate on words on a page without falling asleep!

I am a devoted reader of Sugar Pie Farmhouse and when Aunt Ruthie suggested this Fannie Flagg book, I was intrigued. And dowloaded it to my Nook immediately. We had a 5-day vacation looming, with no cable TV, and I thought it would give me time to read, possibly.

Now, I love to read. Books were the backbone of my youth. I have a master's in English lit. But like I said, finding time to read lately has been a challenge. And I have high standards now because my time is limited. It must suck me in. Must not be ridiculously unrealistic. Must not be depressing. And must make me happy. I am quite picky in my old age, when it comes to books. "Twilight" was not for me; I tried. And "50 Shades" just doesn't appeal to me.

So what does appeal to me? I will read just about anything by Alice Hoffman. And I loved, loved, loved "The Help." I love lighthearted things with quirky characters, and a small town feeling definitely adds to the charm. And I am often drawn to stories which take place in the South. This Fannie Flagg book seemed right up my alley. And it was!

"Standing in the Rainbow" was such a warm reminder the old days, of small towns, of family and neighbors and how simple things sometimes get so complicated as time goes on. It made me long for the past, in many ways, but it also reminded me of how I want life to be, too.
To say I loved this book was an understatement. I found any minute I could to read it. I loved it. And was sad when it ended. And looked up other related Fannie Flagg books to download when I got home. My next choice is this one. I'll let you know what I think when I'm done.

I'm thinking this may be a Fannie Flagg-sort-of-summer. I'm hoping to have the time to finish each and every one. How 'bout you?

Vermont Vacation

Last week, we took a little vacation in Vermont at our family cabin. We had a lovely time and it was good to get away from the everyday routine, unplug (no technology!) and relax with loved ones. Everyone needed a break, and enjoyed our time in the slow lane with the simple life.

Twins watch the 4th of July parade.

Big Girl poses with a cow!

Sunset on the 4th of July

Fireworks!

Big Girl poses as a cow to entertain the twins.

American Flatbread

Flatbread's "The Lorax" garden

Waitsfield covered bridge, rebuilt after last year's flood.

Bunny Twin walks with her grandmother.

Big Girl poses in VT

My 3 beautiful kids -- although Buddy Twin is squinching his face...

Bunny Twin admires her late great-grandmother's flowers

Buddy Twin plays with old LEGOs at the cabin

S'mores!

Big Girl tends the campfire with her Girl Scout skills.

My "Nest"

I recently splurged on a new necklace. Actually splurged is an exaggeration, since it only cost me $12, and it came out of my birthday money. Every day in my Inbox I get an offer from Group Dealz, and this was one of them: A "nest" necklace, made by Your Spoiled Baby.

The deal let the buyer pick the color nest, and the number and color of the pearls. The necklace came with a little bird charm on it. I love it. I've gotten many, many compliments on it.

You can find Your Spoiled Baby's Etsy shop at this link. They have really cute things, and I definitely think I need to put this necklace on my wish list to add to my peapod collection! I don't have a peapod necklace with three green peas yet :)

Mom's Guide to... July 4th!

Source: missmustardseed.blogspot.com via Kellie on Pinterest

Independence Day is this week, which means patriotic fun! Break out the red, white and blue for the mid-week holiday. I love the display above -- lemonade, daisies, flags and strawberries. Doesn't get much prettier and simpler and cozier than that.

For Memorial Day, I had a post on poppies and a few other patriotic links. For the 4th of July, I've also compiled a few links to inspire and educate.

Source: july.tipjunkie.com via Kellie on Pinterest

Of course, we must start out with a kid-friendly craft. I love this handprint/footprint flag. Stick it in a frame for an annual decoration. It's so cute and what a great memory of your little ones. Be sure to write the year on it somewhere.

For more framed decor, this free printable subway art is perfect to add to your 4th of July display. Print it out and stick it in dollar store frame. (If the dollar store frame doesn't match your decor, hit with a coat of spray paint!)

And speaking of printables, here's an adorable 4th of July Bingo Game printable. Or how about a set of Conversation Starter Cards and Jokes? Both are great for a holiday picnic. Print out and put in a basket on the kids table.

Family Fun has a wealth of Fourth of July ideas, from crafts and recipes to activities and printables.

Learning about the holiday doesn't have to be boring: Who remembers this nostalgic Schoolhouse Rock video:




Don't forget to make your treats patriotic on the 4th!! Red, white and blue food is must for the holiday. With strawberries and blueberries abundant, it's easy to whip up a patriotic plate of fresh fruit, or top a simple cake with white frosting or Cool Whip, then add a berry display on top.

Source: bettycrocker.com via Kellie on Pinterest

Betty Crocker's Firecracker cake, above, is perfect for the 4th of July. You can also turn the cake into a cupcake version by layering the three colors of batter in cupcake liners. Top with white frosting and red, white and blue sprinkles.

And one of my favorite blog's, Frugal Upstate, has a great post on how make a red, white and blue ice cream cake.

Finally, keep it safe: Check out this fireworks safety article before you launch any rockets or light any sparklers.

Have a great Fourth of July!