happy birthday.

it's my best friend's birthday today.

we won't divulge ages here. it's just not nice.

but she's a special one. we've been friends since college. we actually lived across the hallway from each other our freshman year. she didn't like me. she had her high school friends. but then the tide turned. we were in the same sorority and...and well. we've been friends ever since. 24 years. i've got too much information on her. ( i suppose she would say (i know she would) the same). ...

we've been through a lot together. great times. fun times. hard times. vacations and trips. weddings. the ten times a day we seem to still talk on the phone. she's the littles godmother. she's supportive and understanding and she listens. she's well read and thoughtful and funny and sweet and well. she just gets me. and but she's always been there. she's a special special person.

the other yulie. in twoyulies.

i couldn't be as sane or happy without her! happy happy birthday princess!

lest we forget.

let's remember what this day is really all about.

"Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer." (from the history channel).

you can learn more about it here.

so thirsty.

the first sangria of summer.

we've had a busy month. it's good that it's memorial day weekend. to take a break and relax. regroup. before summer sets in with full force next week.

tonight we had our first sangrias of summer. there's nothing or seems to be nothing more refreshing on a warm day...

i take the short cut route to making them...a little box of boxed sangria is great. especially when doctored up. it must be doctored up! but you can always use a good wine. red or white. your preference.

cut up some yummy fruit. i like to use berries, apples, oranges, peaches lemon and lime slices. i also like frozen fresh blueberries and grapes. they also serve to keep the drink cold.

so here goes. fill your glass with ice. add your fruit.

then fill with wine and top off with ginger ale. stir. sip and enjoy!

mmm.

i got a cast iron skillet when we were on vacation over spring break in texas. maybe it was a texas thing. but maybe i just wanted one. don't know why. but i seem to hear more and more about cooking in them. so why not? i can always use more pots and pans. right?

here's a goodie that i found on the internet when looking for a recipe to use in my new pan. i really didn't have any idea what the heck to do with the thing once i got it home....

i can't for the life of me remember where i found this idea. so sorry. no credit. if you know let me know and i'll right the wrong.

but really this is just so simple. and good.

take your cast iron pan. spray non stick cooking spray. i suppose you could butter it, too. but. i'm trying to be a bit good here. pool time is here you know.

take some frozen rolls. i prefer rhodes. but i'm sure any brand would work. place them in the pan. spray with more cooking spray. and top with italian seasoning and garlic salt. let rise. this will take 4 - 6 hours. depending on temps. that day. leave them alone.

once they're risen and ready to bake. brush with some melted butter or spray with a bit more cooking spray. bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

the littles love these. they love tearing them apart. i suppose it's called fun food for them.

i think i'm green.

go to this site. you can learn all about your personality based on color. "the test evaluates your personality and true nature, it also allows you to get to know yourself. "

and if you ask me...it's also is a good time waster on a friday morning.

You are 54 % extrovert and 46 % introvert.

not sure if i would really agree with the results. but it's a personality test. it labels you. it's based on pretty colors. and it's on the internet. so we know the answers must be true.

more endings.

the last day. the last day of kindergarten.

wasn't it just yesterday that she had her first day?


and now. now. she's going to be a first grader. she's so excited. this was such a big year. kindergarten. 6 lost teeth. learning all kinds of new stuff. making new good. friends.

the excitement was in the air.

but there was also a touch of sadness. because she. had to say goodbye to her best friend. who is moving away. far away. tomorrow.


but don't worry. she's already. asked me for her own email account. so she can email her.

bounce.

somebody. likes to bounce.

eggs.

did i ever share. our egg experiment? our easter decoration?

we cracked some eggs. ate them of course.

then. after we cleaned them up. the little filled them with dirty. and scattered grass seeds in them. a little water. some sunshine.

and a week later we had grass. a fun. easy project for the littles. they're so excited that the grass grew.

the end.

this time of year. seems to be all about endings. last week. was his last week of school. this week. his classes are wrapping up. today. was the last day of gymnastics.

he didn't miss a chance to go a bit crazy. and enjoy himself. i guess. summer is almost here.

ahoy matey.

aargh. it's my party. i'll cover my eyes whilst you sing to me if i want to! aargh...!

twirl.

today was dance recital day. all the build up. and the anticipation. all over in an hour.

little one was great. tapping her heart out. singing. twirling away. all front and center.

daddy even got in the act this year. participating in the dad's dance. a perfect ending.


lots. of proud fans in the crowd, too. including all grandparents, god parents and her own bestest.

don't they look like mini me's?? two peas in a pod i tell you. and that's good. because she's a good one to look up to.

sunshine.

finally. after days of grey skies. rain. and thunder. there is this thing back in the sky.

i believe it's called the sun.

welcome back.

mmm.

i love this time of year.

i especially love peonies.

love the way they look. all fat and fluffy. like layers and layers of frosting.

love the way they smell. so sweet and enticing.

don't you wish you could smell this one?


because it sure is sweet.

ruffles.

i love. some ruffles. i do. i really. really. do. and they are so cool right. now. on everything. i love all of these goodies.

cute. cute. and in silver. my favorite.



love this. would love to look like this in it, too.


and this. cosmetic bag? how sweet. love the prints, too. of course.


and these sheets. just what i've been looking for. really.

i do. i do love. some ruffles.

last day.

today. was little two's last day of school.

this means that there is only one more year. one year. of preschool. and then. he's off. to kindergarten. kind of makes me sad.

he had a great year. loved his teachers. loved his friends. he already says he misses them.

four.

somebody. turned 4 today.

4.

hard to believe.

he's as rambunctious and crazy and sweet as ever.

happy birthday. little two.

ahh.

i just finished. this book. have you read it? oh. you should. you really. really. should.

i have looked at this book forever. for. ever. picked it up. put it back down. i didn't want to read about elephants. or a circus. clowns are creepy you know.

but when i spied a hard cover copy in the thrift store - never opened mind you. for one dollar. i decided to give it a try. but then. again. it sat. on my nightstand. with visions of clowns in mind everytime i looked at it. and really. who wants to read about clowns before going to bed? not me. that's for sure.

but then. a friend. (you see how easily influenced i am, right?). said read it. it's good. really good. so i started. yesterday. and i now. less than 24 hours later. i'm done. it was that good. really. trust me. on this one.

it's not about clowns. it's not creepy. it's just a snuggle in. can't put it down. leave me alone i'm reading kind of book. and now. i can't stop thinking about it. wow. i love it when that happens. i love to read. but not every book makes you feel that way. almost like you have to decompress for a few days before you dive into another book.

so really. read it. i'd love to have others to chat with about it.

i wish.

i had a porch. a real. honest-to-god porch. not a slab of concrete with an overhang. a real old fashioned porch. that i could invite friends over to sit a spell and enjoy a summer sipper. that i could paint and decorate and enjoy.

if i had a porch. i'd get this book. invite you over. and we could sit a spell.

hanging on.

the last of the tulips. the very last one of the season in my garden. how pretty they've been all spring. enjoying the sunshine and rain. and bringing a burst of happiness to our yard.