Friday, October 29, 2010

Playdates are Essential for Every Mother

This week LB and I had three playdates.  Wow, it makes the week fly by.  And every single one was fabulous in its on way.  One was with a little boy just a few months older than LB.  Another was a first time date that I look forward to doing again - great mom and son!  And the third was with what is now our regulars.

LB and I have a standing Friday playdate with the Taylors - Lee Ann, Thomas and Makayla.  At first it started out at our houses, alternating each week.  Then the weather cooled off and we started having field trips.  I now look forward to our Friday field trip pretty much when the week starts on Monday.  Some are out of town, but most are in and around Dothan.  I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this area a little bit better through our Friday playdates and love to call it home even more.

Today we ventured out to the Botanical Gardens to see the scarecrows.  Fabulous.  And quite possibly one of our best destinations to date.  The kiddos could run and roam free while Lee Ann, Makayla and I strolled behind them.  We were all fascinated with the inventiveness of the scarecrows.  If you have not been, please go soon.  They are only up through Halloween, but are well worth the drive out there.

"The Yawn and Stretch" - LB didn't even see it coming!
But the best part of our playdate, is the mommy time!  Sometimes we go deep and really pour into one another and other times conversation is light and carefree.  Either way, it is a great avenue to connect with another women over things we have in common, share trade secrets, and encourage each other when times are tough.

I am now a firm believer that playdates are essential for every mother.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Stepping Back in Time - Dad's Article

Here is the link to Dad's article this week.

http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/2010/10/26/stepping-back-in-time/

Note how I am introduced :)

And here are a few pictures from our day at Landmark Park.
Laura, myself and Granddaddy Dan

We ran into some friends.  

Laura's first time on a horse.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Trip to Auburn

Grant attended a seminar in Auburn last week, so LB and I decided to tag along.  It turned out to be an interesting trip, but fun nonetheless.  Most of these pictures are in front of Samford Hall.  I needed a shot to go with LB's picture in front of the Colonnade at W&L.
 








Oh, did I mention she got car sick?  This is the aftermath - trying to clean up.

And that explains her jersey and polka dot pants.  We had to make a Wal-Mart run to buy new clothes.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

In the Kitchen Again

As a senior in high school I opened my first business - selling sweet goods around the holidays.  My primary customers were women in my church.  I put a flyer up on the bulletin board and I think I made close to $400 selling layered cakes and bars that consisted of chocolate or peanut butter or both.  There really is no better combination than chocolate and peanut butter in my opinion.

I don't think of myself as a great baker or cook, but I'm pretty decent; I rely heavily on great recipes.  Miss Mary supplied me with all my great sweet goods recipes.  My whole life I remember checking out the desserts first at Sunday night church to see what Miss Mary brought.  Ten-layered chocolate cake.  Peanut butter fingers.  Homemade kit kat bars.  It didn't matter what she brought, I always went back for seconds.  And thanks to Miss Mary, my love of being in the kitchen started early.

Miss Mary invited me over to her house to watch her bake a cake one Sunday afternoon.  I later learned that she had never let anyone in her kitchen while she baked - not even her sisters.  When I arrived there was a stool in the kitchen that was to become my seat for several cooking lessons.  She opened her cabinet and there were rows of Ziplocs.  Sugar.  Flour.  All ready to make a cake at the last minute for a sick loved one, a grieving family, or just a Sunday evening at church.

She told me that she learned from watching her mom bake.  And she pulled out an old silver spoon for stirring.  This spoon had belonged to her mother.  It had stirred so many treats that it was actually bent at a 45 degree angle.  Miss Mary said she uses no other when baking.  Two generations of love went into her cakes and goodies, which is probably why there were always so good.

I reminisce about my early days in the kitchen because I have just rekindled my love there.  I bake less and cook more these days.  I don't sell any of the food this time around, its gobbled up almost immediately.  But nonetheless, I am really enjoying being in the kitchen again.  I would love to learn and improve.  I wish there was a local culinary school, or classes at some of local colleges.  I would be the first to sign up.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Fresh, Beautiful Flowers

Ahhh, flowers.  They weave in and out of our life story.

Today begins the first of many for Grant, Kyle and all of Lakewood as they change out their annual flower beds.  LB and I made a trip out to their shop today to see the first of many plant deliveries.  Bright yellow.  Soft yellow.  Purple.  Blue. White.  It is a sea of beauty as you walk around the plant pin.

Look out Dothan - fresh, beautiful flowers are about to be sprinkled all over the Wiregrass.

No, Its a Horse

Dog! No, its a horse.  Ooo ooo, dog! No, its a horse.  Dog!  No, Laura, its a horse.

Almost every animal is called a dog these days.  I think we're on the verge of learning bird.  But we're happy to take it one at a time.

This past Friday we were very fortunate to visit a horse farm for our Friday playdate.  Some friends of ours ride, train and compete - and I know I could never do justice trying to explain everything, so let's just leave it at they are awesome and we had a great time.  Here are a few pictures.






Right after she spilled the dogs' water bowl all over herself




Ready to go to work

The horse whips were a fun toy


Friday, October 15, 2010

Some Fall Favorites


Growing a pumpkin patch at home
inspection time

silly Daddy
peek a boo!
BOO
Touchdown Auburn!
Chillin with Mr Mason


I like this one Mommy

"Love my playdates with Thomas"




She put her hand in the pigs' water bowl - mmm






Let's take it home please