Pig-tails

Mattie's hair is getting so long. Yesterday, I was able to pull it up into 2 pig-tails. She looked so grown up!

We ALL went to the Nashville Farmers Market yesterday and then had lunch at Neely's BBQ.
Check out the jalapeno peppers Ya-ya and I bought! She bought 40 peppers and I bought 15. We are having a slumber party at Ya-ya's Saturday night and then a big birthday party on Sunday to celebrate her 60th! We are going to half the peppers and clean out the seeds. Then stuff each side of the pepper with cream cheese..then wrap each half with a 1/2 slice of bacon..close it with tooth picks that have been soaked in water. Then cook them on the grill. yumm..yumm.yumm!

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Out of 8 children (3 girls & 5 boys)..6 children will be there for Ya-ya's birthday party. Tina flies in on Tuesday, Michele & Tammy on Wednesday, Roger on Thursday..then Rich and Bob will also be attending.

Also my Aunt Susie-Q and Uncle Bill will be here Wednesday evening and stay until Saturday morning. I can't wait until they get here. I am so excited! So if I don't post again for a while..just know that I am taking lots of pictures to share with you soon.

22 years ago...

My mother gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
~Naomi Ann~

I was 14 years old when she was born. We never got to bring her home. The doctors said she was born with Potter's Syndrome. She lived 1-2 hours..I believe. She was beautiful! She had dark hair..and she looked like a china doll. I have 2 photos of her..one of her in her little casket..and one that my Aunt Cherry sent me recently..they had just unhooked her from all the wires, etc. She was still warm..she just looks like she is sleeping.
I know she is being taken care of..because she has something that I no longer have..my grandma Pulley and great-grandma Butler. They love to spoil their grand-babies..trust me I know:)

Photo: ehow.com

Until I see you again..

I love you baby sister..xoxo

The little squirt locked me out!

I was quickly reminded today of something I did as a child..but I think I was a little older than (almost) two. I locked my Nanny out once when I was little. She was an older lady that took care of me while my parents worked and/or went to college..I called her Nanny Greene..she had to leave me in the house and drive into town to get the keys from either my father or mother..I can't remember which one. I wouldn't unlock the door..I just looked through the window and laughed at her. Poor Nanny Greene!

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The Story:
I am out on the deck checking on Trae. He is doing some weeding, scrubbing out the kitchen trash can with Lysol and picking up the "land mines" in the yard. I shut the door when I went out..Mattie is inside the kitchen looking through the window watching me.

After I checked on Trae to make sure that he is actually working..(he hates weeding and especially picking up "land mines")..I go to turn the doorknob to come back in..and it's locked!
She locked me out! I kept telling her, "Mattie, unlock the door." She just laughed! Thank God Trae was here. Our deck is two-stories high with NO STAIRS..that's how builders put them in around here..I guess $155,000.00 wasn't enough money to have stairs installed..blah, blah, blah!

I was thinking that I could jump off the deck onto the trampoline(if I had been home alone)..but with my luck I would miss!
Then I would probably see the video footage on AFV (America's Funniest Home Videos)..and winning the neighbors a $1,000,000.00..ha ha ha!

A good lesson learned..



I rewarded her with a Freeze Pop!
Go figure.

Twenty-three month old..tooth fairy

I tried to be a copy-cat and copy a photo of "Baby C"..but it didn't turn out as well. Mattie (aka Mammie..that is what she calls herself now) was sleepy and ready for a nap..in fact as soon as we were finished with the "photo shoot"..she was out! Sorry Mattie..I just wanted beautiful photos to place inside your Lola birthday invitations.
Mattie is wearing a dress from Guelita in Texas.

So let's take a poll..
I know there is a lot here..but I would like your help.
Let me know which one you like best..or if I should do a re-do.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6...she isn't holding the #2..so it doesn't count..although she is quite happy not holding the #2
#7
#8

I drove to Nashville this evening for a much needed haircut..we were early..so I took a few shots of Izzy. She is growing up so fast..she wears mascara and tinted lip gloss now.

She told me tonight that she wants her first kiss to be in a romantic french restaurant!

She's 11!

Oh..Izabelle wakes me up at 2:28am this morning..and announces that she lost a tooth! I said, "What are you doing up?" She said, "I was in the den watching a movie and wiggling my lose tooth and it came out!" She was very excited.

So this morning..she noticed the tooth fairy didn't make a visit. Like I am going to spring to my feet after she falls asleep after coming in at 2:28am..and place tooth loot. So I explained to her that she technically lost the tooth today..so the tooth fairy comes tonight. She said, "Ohhhh." So I have tooth fairy duty tonight:)

Save the date!!!

I am hosting a Pampered Chef Show..I booked a party from Hollye's show.
I understand that the Pampered Chef Consultant is trying to get her NEW business off to a good start..so I thought I would help her & Hollye:)
I will be mailing invitations out via email and snail mail..so look for yours soon!

If you live out-of-state and you are interested in placing an order or browing a catalog..email me or post a comment so that I can email you an invitation..we direct ship right to your door!

Theme: 6 o'clock Salads
Menu: Chicken, Avocado and Grapefruit Salad
Date: Friday, August 1st
Time: 6:30p
Where: (see invitation)

Homeschoolopoly

I found this on the Tennessee Home School Blog this morning.

Order here
$29.99 + $5.00 shipping
Buy 1 Get 1 Free (Offer expires 7/31/08)
Isn't it cute!

Photo: Homeschoolopoly.com

I am in the process of ordering Izabelle's curriculum for 2008-2009 school year. I didn't go to the curriculum fair in May..so I am ordering online with A Beka.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Sherri
Happy Birthday to you!

I hope you enjoy your day today..I will see you soon..xoxo

Photo: MartaStewart.com

Sketch 2..challenge

Here is the sketch to follow if you would like to enter..due by July 15th by 12:00 midnight..pacific time..also check it out here.
Also here is my take on it:) I used the JBS July 2008 kit!

Guitar Hero...queen

I took this shot a while ago..Izabelle rockin' out on the guitar! Not much light down in the den..so it's not the best photo in the world.

I played it for the first time tonight..Izabelle was NOT impressed..she said, "Let me have it mom." I was being boo-ed off the stage..ha!

Heebie-Jeebies

I am going to use this photo (taken 7/10/08) for the top of Mattie's birthday cake. She kept covering Charlie & Lola's faces..so this is the best picture I got.

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Still doing vacation laundry..yikes! I am almost done though.

A friend of mine that sells Avon is moving to Kentucky at the end of this month..so she gave me her customer list..26 very good customers..plus a helper..I have been working on that today..getting brochures to those that didn't place an order in C#14. My customer list now consists of 147 customers..that should keep me BUSY..BUSY..BUSY!

The kids are playing Pokemon on the big screen..I should be out in my "receiving department" working..aka my garage. Today is order packing day..I had a shipment this afternoon..so I need to start delivering tomorrow.

Ok..need to get busy. I just thought I would post a new post..'cause the last one was giving Renee the heebie-jeebies:)

Good night!

True Story

Rich came home from work the other night and told me a true..but.. very scary story.

He had a customer that had come into the dealership..she had rubber gloves on both hands.

He assumed she was in the medical field. So he asked.

She however was not in the medical field at all.

She wore rubber gloves because..of fear mainly..I believe. She had no fingertips. They had been removed because of handling a Walmart shopping cart. She got e coli.

I thought e coli was caught only by ingesting it?



Check out this link:

http://www.shoppingcartcoverstore.com/bacteriagermsoncarts.html





I ordered a shopping cart cover for Mattie. I ordered the cow print with hot pink accents.
We usually wipe down shopping carts with sanitizing wipes..when they are available at the store..but sometimes they aren't. This cover also covers those nasty restaurant highchairs!

Charlie & Lola go to the Farmer's Market

Charlie & Lola dolls..are Mattie's favorite right now. I had to order them from the UK..they are nowhere to be found in the US. I am working on her birthday invitations today..actually just filling in the important information. I took the easy route this year..I bought them.

I need to get a photo of Mattie with Charlie & Lola..since we can't order a C & L cake. My super-duper talented MIL is going to use the photo and transfer it to a edible photo and put in on Mattie's birthday cake..wha-la..a Charlie & Lola cake!

FYI:
August 10, Sunday @ 12:00 noon

I took some pictures of the watermelon and cantaloupe for my mom in Texas..to show her how big they are! I am not sure how Charlie & Lola got up there? Crazy kids!

Mattie loves grazing from the tea cart..she calls apples "bubbles"..she thinks tomatoes are "bubbles" too! The yellow squash..are nanas. Cute!

Happy Saturday!

God bless America!

More A.C.T.G.F. goodies..the dress Mattie is wearing and the shirt Izabelle is wearing:) These pictures are just for you Great-Aunt Cherry!

Today we went to the Farmer's Market..we bought everything! $50.00 worth of fruit. We bought this much because..Rich bought a juicer..so we are going to break it in good!

Then we went to Neely's BBQ for lunch. I ordered the pork bbq nachos..yumm-eee!

Trae was helping me out yesterday morning..with Mattie's bath. He yelled at me and said, "Mom, get the camera quick!"

This is what I found..too cute!

Dinner Ideas

*Wednesday 7/2/08*

Taco Ring (click here for recipe)
I make mine simple with just taco seasoned meat inside the ring & shredded cheese.
I add extra cheese on the single serving along with salsa and sour cream.


*Thursday 7/3/08*

BLT's (Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato) Sandwiches
Cheap & Easy!


*Friday 7/4/08*

Sort of up in the air right now.
Whatever hubby wants to eat..because he if OFF:)
This hasn't happened in years!


*Saturday 7/5/08*

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Soup


*Sunday 7/6/08*

4 lbs. Marinated Chicken Breasts
1/2 c. red wine vinegar
1 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. oregano
1 Tbsp. basil
1 Tsp. garlic salt or Adobo
1/2 Tsp. pepper

Marinate in zipper bag overnight (or container) overnight. Cook chicken breasts on the grill and serve with corn on the cob (10 for $3.00 at Kroger)
Menus4moms.com


*Monday 7/7/08*

Grilled Hamburgers
Corn on the cob


*Tuesday 7/8/08*

Baked Spaghetti
1 lb. hamburger meat
1 c. chopped onion
1 jar spaghetti sauce (your favorite brand)
2/3 box of angel hair pasta
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. cottage cheese
8 oz. sour cream
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shredded cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese

Brown beef and cook with onion. (drain meat if needed) Add spaghetti sauce when meat is finished cooking. Boil spaghetti noodles. Cream together cream cheese, cottage cheese and sour cream in mixer. Drain spaghetti noodles and add to cheese mixture and toss well. The heat from the noodles will make the mixture creamy & will coat the noodles well. Place noodle mixture in greased/Pam casserole dish. Then I add shredded cheddar cheese. Top with meat mixture, then add Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake @ 350 degrees until hot and bubbly. Serve with french bread!
From the kitchen of: Tammy Graves



*Wednesday 7/9/08*

Leftover Baked Spaghetti
French Bread


*Thursday 7/10/08*

Grilled Hot Dogs
Baked Beans


*Friday 7/11/08*

Swiss Chicken
6 boneless chicken breasts (raw)
6 slices of Swiss cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. white cooking wine
1 c. stuffing mix
1/4 c. melted butter

Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Cover each breast with a slice of cheese. Mix soup and wine and pour over chicken. Cover with dry stuffing and drizzle 1/4 c. butter over stuffing.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
Menus4moms.com

Serve with my MIL famous green beans!
1 pkg. frozen green beans
2-3 pieces of bacon, chopped
Sunkist roasted almond accents (roasted garlic Caesar)

She fried the bacon pieces first, then added the beans with salt & pepper then the almonds last. Mom..please correct me if I have anything wrong:)



*Saturday 7/12/08*

Grilled Bratwurst
Baked beans (leftover from Thursday)


*Sunday 7/13/08*

French Dip Sandwiches
3-4 lb. roast
2 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1 pkg. onion soup mix
French rolls

Place meat in slow cooker, cover with mustard and sprinkle with onion soup mix. Cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours. When fully cooked, carve into thick slices or shred.
Strain broth and skim fat if desired. Serve meat on French rolls with juice in small bowls or saucers for dipping.
Menus4moms.com


*Monday 7/14/08*

Stuffed Shells
1/2 box of jumbo shells or manicotti
Marinara sauce
3 c. Ricotta cheese
1/2 c. Parmesan
1 egg
2 Tbsp. Parsley
1 Tsp. salt
1/2 Tsp. pepper
16 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook shells according to package directions.
Mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt and pepper.
Stuff shells or manicotti with cheese mixture and place in a 13" x 9" baking dish coated with non-stick spray. Spoon marinara sauce over each shell and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
Menus4moms.com


*Tuesday 7/15/08*

Poppy seed Chicken Casserole

2 c. cooked chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. sour cream
1 sleeve round buttery crackers (Ritz)
1 Tbsp. poppy seed

Topping:
1 sleeve crackers
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
poppy seed for garnish

Combine chicken soups, sour cream, 1 sleeve crackers and 1 Tbsp. poppy seed in a large bowl. Mix well and transfer to a greased casserole dish. Mix together remaining crackers and melted butter and sprinkle on top. Garnish with poppy seed. Bake @ 325 degrees for 25 minutes.
Menus4moms.com



*Wednesday 7/16/08*

Taco Ring


*Thursday 7/17/08*

Chicken & Mushrooms in wine
2 tbsp. olive oil
8 chicken tenderloins or 4 boneless skinless breast halves
8 oz. mushrooms, quartered
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. white wine
1/2 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. green onion, chopped
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
angel hair pasta

Place all ingredients except the cornstarch in a large heavy skillet with a lid and cover. Heat to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until chicken is done, about 10-15 minutes. Push everything over to one side and add cornstarch to liquid on the empty side. Mix well with juices until there are no lumps. Return all ingredients to an even place in pan, simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve over angel hair pasta.
Menus4moms.com


*Friday 7/18/08*

Egg salad sandwiches


*Saturday 7/19/08*

Beef & Potato Burritos
This is my step-moms recipe..yumm!

2 lbs. hamburger meat, cooked
potatoes..(I usually use 8-10 potatoes)
salsa
shredded cheese
flour tortillas
vegetable oil

In separate pans..cook hamburger meat, and fried potatoes(add salt and pepper while cooking).
Build burrito with: beef, potatoes, salsa & cheese. Enjoy!


*Sunday 7/20/08*

Hamburger Pie
(My mother used to make something similar..I added a few things)

1 can whole kernel corn
1 can baby peas
1 can french style green beans
1 can tomato soup
onion, chopped
shredded cheddar cheese
instant potatoes (prepared) or real potatoes
1 lb. hamburger meat

Cook beef and onion together. Add tomato soup to meat mixture, then pour meat mixture into a casserole dish. Add layer of corn, then peas, then green beans, then a layer of cheese and top with prepared mashed potatoes.


*Monday 7/21/08*

Hamburger Pie leftovers


________________________________

When I purchased meat this time..I didn't calculate how many pounds I needed..I just guessed.
But I bought 6 lbs. hamburger meat, plus pre-patted hamburger patties (Laura's Lean Beef), 1 roast and 3 BIG trays of chicken breasts. All I had in the freezer was 2 lbs. of bacon..so I am trying to get that used:)
I will see if I can go (20) days without doing major shopping again..I will let you know!

Bon appetite!

Birthday girls!

Birthday wishes to sweet little Page..she is 6 today &
my sister-in-law Michele.
I hope you both enjoy your special day....

Cake photo: Christiescakes.com

Warning!! Never go to the zoo and go grocery shopping on the same day

The high was supposed to be 88..well let me tell ya..it was a HOT 88!
I am really missing the Michigan weather right now..
But we had fun at the zoo:) I wish I had brought my super-duper zoom lense:)
First up..
Hyacinth Macaws

Red-Crown Crane

White-Cheeked Gibbon or Siamang..can't tell which one!

Sheep

Chicken Coop

Lorikeet

Elephant

This poor animal needs to see a gasteronologist!

Right after it layed down on its side..it ripped one..I mean it lasted for a good 30 seconds..it sounded like a thunderstorm was rolling in!

Everyone was laughing..ahhhahahaha:)

Giraffe

more elephants

more monkeys..I mean Trae, Izabelle & Mattie

Izabelle and I went to the grocery store tonight.

I planned meals for 2 weeks..and we bought for 2 weeks.

$252.00 later

I am exhausted!

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Mattie peed in the potty!

I know she has before..little tinkles..while running her to the throne while in midstream.

But today..

she really peed in the potty!

She knows when she has to go..because she will start crying and hold herself before she goes..and she says "Oh no!"

Today I quickly carried her to the potty and made her sit there for a minute or two. She wanted to get up...but I made her sit..I knew that "I gotta go pee cry"

SHE FREAKED when she started going! She stood up..peed in the floor but about a gallon was in her potty. Trae and Izabelle came in the bathroom clapped and cheered and we called daddy to share the good news!

Her potty reward:

A Gummybear

Photo credit: Trae