One year ago I was in the hospital holding my newborn son, and he changed our world forever... particularly his sister's.  I can't believe that a year has now passed and that my baby boy is no longer such a baby.  Happy Birthday little man!  Please let time slow down a little.

Pin It

A Tale of Two "Apple" Sandwiches...

This is the tale of two cheese and apple sandwiches...

The first sandwich... a basic grilled cheese with white cheddar, but cut into fun apple shapes with cheese leaves.

The second sandwich... an adult friendly open-faced sandwich with white Vermont cheddar mixed with a softer yellow cheese, apple slices, and pepper and salt to taste.

Which sandwich would you choose?

Pin It

Apple Picking

Looking for a fun Fall activity... go apple picking.  We went this past weekend to Carter Mountain Orchard.  It was hot (nature hadn't gotten the memo that it was Fall), but still fun.

Pack a picnic to enjoy before or during the picking.  Ours included:

• Turkey Wraps with Vermont White Cheddar, Sauteed Vidalia Onions and Crisp Apple Slices
• Black Bean Dip with Carrots
• Chips
• Cheeses and Peanut Butter to pair with freshly picked apples (don't forget a knife and cutting board)
• Eclair Cake (courtesy of my mother)

We wandered among the trees, picking Jonagold and Golden Delicious from the high branches.  By the end we left with our freshly picked goodies, apple cider donuts from the bakery, fresh apple cider... hot and sweaty from our excursion but excited about the deliciousness ahead of us.

Pin It

Celebrating Fall



Italian Plums purchased at the
Falls Church Farmers Market

 I love Fall... the crispness in the air, the energy as everyone returns from the summer break, the colors, the flavors, and the impending celebrations.  Last Fall sped by due to my son's birth.  I was in those new Mommy days and only made a few token attempts to celebrate the season.  I don't want a repeat this year.

Here is my "bucket list" for embracing Fall 2010:

• Apple Picking
• Collect leaves with the kids
• Celebrate Virginia Wine Month (October)
• Make plum jam
• Celebrate my son turning 1
• Highland Games and Celtic Festival (not a traditional "Fall" activity, but part of our Fall)
• Football (this one is for my husband)
• Try new pumpkin recipes, with fresh pumpkin
• "Carve" a jack-o-lantern with my daughter
• Enjoy a Fall Picnic with my family
• Decorate with candles and throws for extra coziness
• Eat grapes... roasted grapes, lavendar grape tarts, wine, etc
• Pull out the sweaters and shawls
• Create an autumnal display for the front porch
• Soups, soups, soups... and chili
• Hot Apple Cider
• Enjoy other seasonal flavors... pears, potatoes, parsnips, sweet potatoes, apples
• Take long family walks
• Bonfires at Nana and Papa's, with roasted marshmallows and smores
• Hay Maze
• Photograph the sights of the season
• Hiking

How do you celebrate Fall?

Pin It

Organizing 101: Reader Ideas

Thanks to everyone for your comments this past week.  Here are some of your suggestions...

• "One thing I do like to do is get the coffee set up the night before in my preset coffee timer, so when we wake up it's already made."  (Sue from Stay at Home Mom)
   
• "Another time-saving idea I've been using lately is when line-drying laundry, I often put it on the hanger wet, hang it to dry, then put it straight in the closet. Why put in another step with clothespins if it's destined for a hanger in the closet anyway?"  (Julie from Heirloom Homestead)
   
• "I made some fabric wall-art using large corkboard and covering it with batting and cute fabric. Hang it on the wall and I have a cute piece of art with texture on the wall. But then I can hang up my kids' artwork on top of it! yay!"  (Jane)

Wishing everyone a smoothly-running week...

Pin It

Organizing 101: The Breakfast Routine

I love old housekeeping books.  They are fascinating tomes  full of tidbits and wisdom from the past.  I think of all the women before me that have read them as they planned how to manage their own homes in their own unique styles.  However, there was one piece of advice that I read many, many times and have only recently begun to appreciate... set your breakfast table the night before.

It's a simple thing to do.  But it is such a help with the morning rush.  Just set out the table the night before with any nonperishable items... plates, bowls, cups, forks and spoons, coffee mugs, bananas, bread on a cutting board with a knife, honey, boxes of cereals, tea bags... whatever makes sense in your family.

Five minutes at nice... maybe five minutes in the morning to actually sit and drink your coffee... those women before knew what they were doing.

Pin It

Organizing 101: Clothing Labels

This is a re-post of a former idea, but I wanted to share it again as part of this Organization week.  This is such a help in our life.  We have a set for me and for my daughter, and I'll be making a set for my son soon as well.  Anything that makes mornings easier is appreciated, and this makes sure that everyone has clean clothes, particularly when I am trying to work off of smaller wardrobes.

I originally saw the hanger label idea on No Fuss Fabulous.  The pink didn't exactly go with my beach-inspired room, so I decided to make up some custom designs for myself.  Using Microsoft Word and Clip Art, I came up with basic designs incorporating coral, sea horses, starfish, and sea shells.

I do laundry on Saturday.  Either Saturday or Sunday I run through and lay out my clothes for the week.  With the hangers, I always have something ready to go in the morning and don't ever have the dilemma of having nothing clean to wear.

The other great advantage is that my husband can help get my daughter dressed without having to ask what I want her to wear.  He just grabs the day's hanger and has everything he needs.  No thought dressing... particularly useful if he hasn't had his coffee yet.

Pin It