testing out the hipstamatic..

After reading so much about the Hipstamatic App, and seeing so many cool photos from it, I downloaded it last week. Today I tried it out.


I promise when I took this pic of Skipper the Dog, he was out cold. He did not even flinch. Now when I look at the picture, I can see a slit of an eyeball staring me down. Crazy beast!

And shot #2 showcases my mini brownies with a side of brownies...on the side.

Not the best photographic material for this style of photography but dang, I can see the potential for COOL. I cannot wait to take some outdoor photos and people pics with it next. Well worth my $1.99. One more reason to love the i phone.

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family + kids

Shelby was Student of the Week last week and we got to join her for lunch. I hate to call my Mom out like this, but she doesn't have the hang of the focus on my camera but at the same time I really love the above picture so I am sharing it :)

My parents and both girls at the school lunch.

And the STAR herself, Miss Shelby.

Sharing a moment of sweetness (b/c often I feel that they are FEW and FAR between) among my girls:

While eating Chex Mix a day or so ago,I noticed each one taking out the morsels from her own bowl, to share with her sister. They each have different favs and each one knows it. Cute :) Shelby's are the really crunch rye bread thingies, and Olivia's are the golden Chex cereal...just so you know.

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meal plan monday

On Monday! What an idea, right?!

Monday: Baked Pork Chops
Bob Evans Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes (my kids fav)
a veggie from the pantry
Tuesday: girls night out dinner for me!, dave and the girls will get carry out
Wednesday: Chicken Casserole (similar to this one)
fresh baked Rhodes rolls
Thursday: chili for us, burgers for the girls
Friday: party for me, rest of fam on their own

Not many true recipes going on yet but the weather is finally cooling off enough that I am getting the urge to cook and bake. Not good for the waistline but Pin It

book report

Aside from magazines, I had not read a book, a real book, in awhile. I guess since vacation which was back in June.

On that vacation, my niece and I noticed a load of people on the beach, at the pool...everywhere we looked, reading The Help. I read it about two weeks ago and totally understand the hoop-la. Such a wonderful story. So different from my usual "chick lit" but I loved it and recommend it.

I also just read Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner. I am luke warm on this one. Not sure if it is because I read it so closely on the heels of The Help, or not. Anyway, it's a quick read and definitely a girl's book :)

Today at Walmart, for some unknown reason, they only had 2 cash registers that could accept checks or debit cards. Imagine the length of the lines at those two registers. Imagine me waiting, trying to be patient with my very small cart load of goods, including one gift card which due to said computer issues, they could not process. Grrr. Pin It

meal plan monday

posted on tuesday...meals began on sunday...work with me, k?

Sunday: Grilled Chicken (I grilled a whole bag of frozen breasts to use some later in the week) marinated in Italian Dressing, baked potatoes for the bigs, Bob Evans potatoes for the littles, SteamFresh corn

Monday: Steak on the grill (hamburger for Olivia), Baked Steak Fries

Tuesday: chicken and/or steak fajitas (from leftover grilling the previous 2 nights). I will just sautee the onions and peppers and we are good to go. Littles will eat cheese tacos (shredded cheese in a tortilla) with pineapples on the side.

Wednesday: BLTS (deconstructed for the littles: they will eat bacon and buttered toast)

Thursday: dining out (one little has dance class, the other has a basketball game)

Friday: pizza night?!


And, in other news...keep praying for a family in our school community who has a sick little girl. Olivia thought of the idea to fill a basket with goodies for all the kids in the family. She did the shopping on her own, the wrapping...all of it. We hope to deliver this today or tomorrow.
This little girl has a very kind heart :) Pin It

browsing the internet

Life with a laptop is so great. I am exhausted yet I am able to browse the internet while reclining in my bed :)

Looking at:
Halloween Invite Inspiration at Tiny PrintsA ton of wonderful wreath ideas at Tatertots and Jello
And in more weekend news...we had Tony Roma ribs (from Walmart for $9.98) for the second time. They are delicious and a deal too!

The girls have enjoyed a great day of outdoor play. Right now outside my window I hear: the girls laughing, the neighbors' dog barking, Dave working on the deck....

Today has also been a little sad. We learned that a family from school has a very sick young daughter. She has been in ICU at Children's Hospital since Thursday. If you have extra prayers and are inclined to share, send one up for Elizabeth :) Pin It

Viny Wall Decal Giveaway

Be sure to visit the Brides Buddy blog today and register to win a $25 gift certificate at Wonderfully Wordy. Yep, the same one I highlighted earlier this week! The owner, Shelley, was so very nice to offer this deal when I asked on behalf of the Brides Buddy.

What would you choose?You do not have to be a bride to comment win prizes at the Brides Buddy so spread the word with friends and family! Pin It

paninis and more

First, I pulled the insert out of the recent Food Network mag with 50 panini recipes. Wow, at least 40 of those sounded delicious so I figured I'd try a few of the recipes eventually with my waffle iron that I have been known to use as a panini maker :)

And then I got a Kohls ad with this panini press inside and a 30% off coupon. I purchased one today for $28. I am considering this a great deal b/c 1) I have been wanting a grill pan and this takes care of that and 2) the pan and press are HEAVY so I am very excited to try the whole thing out.

I am adding some sort of heavy duty bread to my grocery list and hope to report back in a few days with recipe reviews. I am finding the apple/cheese/bacon combos especially appealing. Pin It

so much goodness to share!

First, this gem just arrived on my doorstep from a sweet friend and Flickr swap partner. I mean, isn't it over the top cute?! I am inspired to make a checkbook cover and zippered pouch to match it ASAP.

Next, my girl, #32 on the Seton Titans 4th grade basketball team, made a basket during the first game of the season yesterday. Can you believe I did not have my camera?! The fans were on their feet and a few had tears in their eyes they were so proud (wink:wink...).

We just closed on our house refinance which positions us just a wee bit better in the financial scope of things. Every little bit helps :)

I am working like a crazy woman on the Brides Buddy blog and am happy to share that we have three new sponsors there...check it out.

Reminder to visit eighteen25 for Fall crafty ideas. Today's post blew me away. I need to carve out some time to do a little of this:
I hope I win that subway art but if not, I might have to order it on up from Wonderfully Wordy.
It would be very dangerous here if I could cut out vinyl stuff like she does. Instead, I will just have to purchase from her shop!
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it's feeling like fall

and because of that, I just added a cute little box over there --------------------> which links you to a favorite blog of mine with a month's worth of fall and Halloween ideas. Like this one:


Although this is the third week of the kids being back to school, it has been the roughest. Especially for poor Shelby. God love the child, she just requires sleep...like me, her mother.

I am anxiously awaiting the weekend and the idea of sleeping and catching up around the house. We have a wedding to attend and Olivia has basketball game on Sunday.

I hope next week has me feeling my groove a bit more which includes getting back to taking some pictures. Pin It

monday...updates...good stuff

So, I really need to plan out a Menu since it is Monday already but I think that will be posted on Tuesday like last week since today is a Holiday :)

Over the weekend I got a few of my items complete for a swap I am participating in.

My partner likes Denyse Schmidt fabrics and requested a wall hanging so I went with this...and this:

And I have one more item in the works.

Yesterday I enjoyed an Antique show in Lawrenceburg with my Mom and my niece, Kacie. I scored another globe for my collection...of two. (Did you know Pottery Barn is carrying globes now? I totally love this small black one) Kacie did better yesterday, acquiring a new milk glass piece, an awesome oval mirror and some cool printer's letters.

The kids are once again selling magazines as a school fundraiser. If anyone needs to renew something and wants to give credit to the school, follow this link: www.aphearst.com and enter school ID WC3464. Every little bit helps!

Today's Groupon deal is an 8x8 Shutterfly album for $10 (normally they are $29.99!). I already ordered mine which locks me into completing my vacation album by 11/22 in order to take advantage of the offer.

I only have this page and one more done so I had better get to work. Pin It