drip. drop. drip.

just popping in. It's been raining here. For days it seems. No pool time. Not much outside time. It is summer, right?

We've got a lot to do. But all it seems to do is rain.

rain. rain. go away.

superstar.

we have a a star amongst us today.

there's been a lot of hoopla lately about all the changes to the big XII. stories, rumors, mumblings.

cu finally set the record straight and announced they're leaving for the pac-10. it's about time. this has been talked about for years. probably a better fit.

and since someone lives cu in this house. who better than him should the news come and talk to?

the photos a bit (well more than a bit). hazy. it was humid. really. really. humid today. i think my lens caught more humidity than the subjects. but through the mist you can spy our star (of the day).

chugga chugga.

thomas. seems to make a stop here every year at around this time.

since the littles love trains. we go looking for trains sometimes. they are besides themselves when we spot one.

a ride on thomas was pretty exciting for them. especially little two. sitting in our seat was hard. because hanging out the window seemed to be a better way to ride.


it's been raining here so much, that the corn is barely up. can you imagine planting all that?


they loved the ride. but i think they almost loved the petting zoo after. this little guy looked pretty sad to be locked up in a small cage on a blistering hot and humid saturday.


but this one was pretty happy to be fed by little hands.

thrift thursday.

a little bit of adventuring.

i'm ready for a big adventuring day. but with the littles home. that's a bit harder to come by these days. they only are good with adventuring for little bits of time.

give them a dollar and they'll find a treasure. but they only like to do that at one or two stops...ahh summer.

but here are some of today's finds.


i still love some strawberries. i found two of these cool vintage strawberrry themed trays. love them for summer.


and this book? a girl's guide to the outdoors. i love to go rambling. and there's a whole chapter on how to do it if you're a girl.



remember these? three dimensional relief maps? 25cents. and rocky mountain national park. a place we've spent a lot of time. love them! and the color is all wrong. but those old kitchen tools with the wooden handles. the handles are actually that limey-minty green that i love. in great condition. i left this sale with only spending 75 cents!


how cute is that little fairy doll? i remember these from when i was a kid. i think we had an elf...and i think the big sterling silver and turqouise pin is fabulous. especially for 50 cents!...the yellow bakelite silverware was a rare find. hard to come by these days.

a little thrift thursday finds today.

mmm. good.

ever needed to pass on a recipe and all you've got is some plain notebook paper? next time. use these. from skip to my lou. super cute and fun to fill out, too.

your friend will love you for it.

a wee bit.

i know. the other yulie thinks. she has the rights to some tartan. and all that scottish stuff. but sh hasn't done this yet...

look what i made. my own tartan. you can do it to. go here.

not that i have the time for stuff like this, but well. you know. it's a good time waster.

really. enough.

it's time. to get serious and get this mess cleaned up. stop the idiocy. get the job done. these pictures should be enough of an incentive.

animals shouldn't have to suffer like this. nor should the people who depend on the gulf for their livelihoods.

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.