for real?

i spotted this ad on facebook today. is this really necessary? i think that no comments from me are really needed.

98. in the shade.

it's summer. and that means watermelon. and believe me. it's going to be a good day for some ice cold watermelon. and perhaps these little treats from martha stewart. they might just be too good to pass by.

watermelon-basil margaritas (recipe courtesy of martha stewart living)

• 7 1/2 pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, fruit cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 teaspoons superfine sugar
• 6 ounces (3/4 cup) silver tequila
• 24 basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 3 ounces (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) triple sec
• 6 cups small ice cubes

1. Place 24 watermelon cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Cover, and freeze at least 1 hour (up to 2 days).
2. Puree remaining watermelon and the sugar in a blender until smooth. Pass through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. (You should have 3 cups.)
3. Place tequila and basil in a glass pitcher, and crush with a wooden spoon. Stir in watermelon juice and triple sec.
4. Place watermelon cubes in glasses. Using a cocktail shaker, mix 3/4 cup margarita with 1 cup ice. Strain into a glass. Repeat. Serve garnished with basil.

diamonds?

i have a thing for crayons. love them. love the way they color. the way they smell. their names. the way they melt. their simplicity. nothing better than a new box of 64 colors.

but wait. look at these. crayon rings. jewelry and crayons. all wrapped together in one cute package.

you can buy them here. but if you do, i call dibs on the green one.

reading.

i can't get enough. of reading on the beach. it is my most favorite place in the whole world to read.

pick a spot. dump your chair and goodies. plop yourself down. get a cold drink. dig in your toes. and read. read. read.

i finished two books when were on vacation this year. some years. i've finished as many as five. i take some along. and then have to go to the book store to get more. but two this year was good. considering there were children to watch. and all...well. i have to be some what responsible, right??

i'm not sure what it is about reading on a beach. but something. just something. gets me hooked. sucked in. and i can't put my books down. the light wind. the crash of the surf. the noise of the seagulls and the kids. the cold drink. the warm sun. i'm a goner. not asleep. just reading. reading. reading. if i lived close to a beach. i could read hundreds of books a year. at least i'd like to think i could.

this year i read. these...



a good. quick. beachy-kind of read. pretty light. and cute.

and then this.


an amazing. amazing. story. of jackson mississippi. during the civil rights movement. i didn't think i'd like it. but i did. i really did. it was spellbinding. i couldn't put it down. i'm actually thinking of re-reading it.

where do you like to read and what's on your beach list this summer? see. i'm looking for something new, now.

ooh. ahh.

a little shish. boom. bah. today. fireworks. sangria. picnics. parades. flags.

the red. white. and blue.

little one. couldn't get enough. made friends (as usual). at the fourth of july spectacular.

little two. loved the aaahhhhs. but didn't really like the booms.


and barbie? well. she just ended up naked on the ground. maybe she should cut back on the sangria?


happy birthday america.


oh. yes. a little shout out, too. to my dear friend, charlie. who, it just so happens, is one of the most patriotic people i know. and born on the fourth of july to boot. (literally.) just. how perfect is that?? happy birthday. hope it's a good one.

window shopping.

just up and browsing around this am. a bit of coffee. a class at the gym. some time on the computer...a good way to start a three day weekend. perhaps a bike ride later on, too?

so. little one. loves birds and trees. looking for something new to spice up her room. wonder if she'd like this? i love the birds and flowers. the limey-chartruese-y green leaves. thinking this would be a pretty cute addition to her walls. and better than crayon, for sure.

white. linen.

i love. white. i especially love white linen. nothing better than a white dress. a nice tan. and sandals in the summer.

so imagine my happiness when i came across this little dress?


how perfect. and these sandals. wow. i'm in heaven.

r.i.p.

i always wanted to be part of charlie's angels. i mean. really. what girl in the 80's didn't want to be an angel? i didn't want to be farrah. when my friends and i played charlie's angels. i always played jaclyn smith on the playground. always. but nonetheless. an angel...

a little belated. but rest in peace. farrah.

talent.

check out this adorable pillow my friend. nancy. made. yes. made. hand painted the whale. stitched up the pillow. and there are more. with ruffles. with numbers. too. too. cute. she should sell them. i say. sell them. hint. hint.

sweet. memories.

so those. not so sweet faces yesterday. were pretty sweet. at the beach...i just didn't remember. until. i uploaded these photos. ahh. memories.

attitude.

see this. face?


imagine. flying with it. for three hours. in a steel tube. at 33,000 feet.

imagine it. squirming. and worming. and kicking. and not being cute. at all.

and imagine. another face. perhaps like this.

also. worming. and squirming. and whining. and singing along with vacation bible songs on her ipod. at the top of her lungs.

and then imagine this.

sitting right in front of us. for three hours. at 33,000 feet. in a steel tube. sneering. and glaring. and yelling at other faces.

it wasn't a fun flight. it wasn't fun at all.

people watching.

so. it was back to funland tonight. back to the action. the rides. the lights. the great people watching.

people who read me regularly. know. i do not usually do this. go off topic as such. but. i can't help but share. the scenery. from the amusement park on the beach. enjoy.

interesting headpiece choices.


interesting haircuts.


new ways. to carry your drinks.


lots of tatoos.


and man-pris. plaid. flannel. man-pris.

chip.chip.

just another day. here.

on the beach. toes. dug in the sand.

quietly enjoying the sunshine.

until. someone. little number two. specifically.

decided to feed these friends.


potato chips. well. when he wasn't trying to be a pirate behind them...

cousins.

we've had a special week at the beach. our niece and nephew have been here with us. and the littles just can't get enough of them.


and neither can we...if only somehow we could convince them to move here. life would be so much easier!

you. see. they have been great. no terrific with the littles. playing in the ocean. swimming in the pool. going to the playground. running. jumping. chasing. feeding. and laughing. lots and lots of laughing. the littles have loved it. and love them.

i think there may be some cousin withdrawal when we get home...

funland.

woot. woot.
an amusement park on the boardwalk. a family tradition. for many. many. many. years.

the littles love it. the husband loves it. the mother-in-law and myself. well. not too fond.

but we endured. and they had fun. fun. fun.

little one was a bit scared by this ride.


but little two just couldn't get enough of the "airplane shooters".


some of the adults. even got in on the action too.