Wordless Wednesday

........somehow I got hooked!

monogram monday: doormat

Bringing back Monogram Monday!

I recently pinned this cool DIY doormat that I love! This would look great at the backdoor.....maybe I'll give this project a try!

{or, you can buy it here.}

The Simple Woman's Day Book: July Edition

Outside my window....after a couple of less humid, almost fall-like days, today has been more humid and the temp is in the low 90's. Feels like there is still plenty of summer left.

I am thinking....how strange things will be when Nathan leaves next week!!

I am thankful....that both of our boys have a good job. Logan has been with the company 7 years already, and Nathan got his call last week and starts his new job Aug 7.

In the kitchen....actually, there is little cooking being done inside these days, instead we are grilling up a storm!! Yesterday, we grilled steaks. Peter's steak covered the entire plate! It was a ridicoulously big steak!!!!! {but he had no problem eating all of it!} :O) :O)


I am wearing....khaki capris, a bright pink tee, & brown flip-flips.

I am creating....nothing much really. I am getting some thoughts together for our fall projects around the house.

I am looking forward to....Homecoming!!! AUG 16 & 17

Around the house....we have been switching things around {for the time being}. Long story short, our new brown sofa is in the den and our old sofa is back in the living room. We are re-doing our living room this fall, so I'm trying to figure things out.................

A favorite quote for the day:


One of my favorite things....dragonflies! Last week, there were hundreds of them swarming all around. This one was the size of my hand!

Upcoming plans....

countdown-

8 days until Nathan leaves to train for his new job. (8/05)

19 days until Homecoming / L & L home for a visit (8/16-17)

 37 days until back to school (oh, yeah, I don't have any kids going to school this year- first time in 20 years!!) Actually, Sept. 3rd is Logan's birthday!!! :O) (9/03)

39 days until football season! We switched to Directv a few months ago, so we'll have the NFL Sunday Ticket this year. :O) :O) Bears first game is 9/08.

 44 days until the we go to the O's game!!! (9/10) ......crossing our fingers that Nathan won't miss it!!!!!!!

70 days until the end of the b&b season (10/07)

95 days until Halloween (10/31)

123 days until Thanksgiving (11/28)

150 days until Christmas (12/25)

A peek into my day:

after a busy day at work, a nap is on the agenda!!

saturday 9 ~ july 27

1) The lyrics refer to a baby's "one year of crying." When was the last time you cried ... felt weepy ... or at least teared up?

Nathan's Graduation....for sure!

2) Let's lighten it up a little. When was the last time you laughed really hard?

Today actually.....it's always an adventure at work....Beth & I have lots of laughs together!!! :O)

3) Do you have "so much to say" that hasn't been said yet? Tell us if you owe someone a phone call, note, email or text.

I'm the worst at making that phone call, or sending a card. I eventually do it, but I hate that I'm such a slacker on this. I think of people often, yet they often don't know it since I don't follow up my thoughts with actions right away.

4) Earlier this summer, Dave took a bike ride before a show and his tire blew out. He didn't have a cell phone with him and was afraid of missing that night's performance. Fortunately two fans -- driving to see Dave Matthews Band in concert -- recognized him by the side of the road and gave him a ride to the show. Share a recent act of kindness you either did, or received.

I'm a strong believer in acts of kindness and try to do this whenever I get the chance.

5) Before he hit it big, Dave Matthews was a bartender. What job did you have right before the one you have now?

I was a substitute teacher.

6) The Dave Matthews Band recorded an album live at the Red Rocks Amphitheater, in the mountains near Denver. Is there a trip to the mountains in your future?

Maybe....I really would love to take a trip to the mountains sometime.

7) Do you suffer from hay fever or allergies?

No, thankfully I don't.

8) What's in your pocket right now?

Nothing, I have p.j.'s on!

9) American Express promotes "Small Business Saturday," and encourages us to shop at local, independent retailers. Is there a shop, boutique or restaurant in your town that you're particularly fond of?

I live in a very small town, so I try to spend money local any time I can. I guess we spend the most on take-out.

5 on friday - Pioneer Woman

I'm linking up for 5 on Friday.

I'm a big Pioneer Woman fan.............I follow her blog and watch her tv show on Food Network. For this week's 5 on Friday, it's all about Ree's yummy recipes-some that I've already tried and some that hope to cook up very soon.

{1} My favorite PW recipe is Mushroom and Swiss Sliders w/ Spicy Fry Sauce! You MUST try!!! Y-U-M!!!!!! Here's a link to my post with the recipe.

(source: Pinterest)



{2} Homemade Granola Bars- This is at the top of my to-try list! I buy lots of granola bars for snacking and lunch, but I've always wanted to make my own. This recipe looks soooo good!

{recipe}

{3} Monkey Muffins- I made these last Christmas morning and they were amazing! They might just become a yearly tradition....

Here's a link to my post with the recipe!

{4} Perfect Potato Soup - I LOVE creamy soups and this potato soup lives up to it's name....it's perfect! Creamy, but not too thick. Here's the link to my post with the recipe.





{5} Creamy Chicken Piccata- this is one I want to try! :O)


{recipe}

Wordless Wednesday

my happy list ~ july 23

  Linking up with Art @ Home for My Happy List Tuesdays!   Here are just a few things on my happy list this week:   1. mornings with my momma.................Mom and I talk on the phone every morning, and we try to see each other as much as possible (she lives just minutes from me). During the summer months, while I'm working, we rarely skip our phone call, but it can sometimes be several days before we actually get together. This morning, instead of our call, she came by for a little breakfast on the patio. What a great way to start my day!!!      2. bird watching......Peter has really enjoyed all of the purple martin activity in our backyard and has hoped they would make their home in his birdhouse.  A few evenings ago, as we were watching the martins (and cardinals) fly all around the backyard, it was the sparrow that stole my attention. This one little sparrow would land on the birdhouse and two or three little heads would pop up with mouths wide open. I grabbed my camera and got a pretty good picture.   3. I was very happy to grab up these......     I've had my eye on these old table legs at the restaurant for quite awhile, so when they were being thrown out last week, I just couldn't let them go to the dump! Of course, Peter isn't on board with my "let's re-do our kitchen table" idea.....but he'll love it, I just know he will!!! {this project is at the top of my fall to-do list}   4. flowers, flowers, flowers......my flower garden is really thriving, and a few weeks ago, this mystery vine started growing up the bird feeeder post.... I am pretty sure it is a morning glory, so I'm letting it stay for now! I envied my neighbor's vine last year.... hopefully, mine will bloom soon.? :O)   5. last but not least......Nathan got his call from the tugboat company he applied with!!!!!!! Yesterday, he (and 3 others) met with the fleet manager, and today, he got his physical. Things are progressing much faster than we expected (which is a good thing), but even so, our life is a bit of a whirlwind right now! :O) He has a great summer job that he started right after graduation, but he is anxious to start his career as a tugger!  

saturday nine ~ july 20

Linking up for.......


1) The best-selling Beach Boys album of all time is a two disc greatest hits compilation. Do you have favorite Beach Boys song? I like several Beach Boys songs: Surfin' USA, California Girls, Kokomo...

2) The original members of the group were the Wilson brothers, their cousin Mike and a friend from the neighborhood. Have you ever worked with a family member? Yep, my BIL & SIL own the b&b that I manage.

3) Originally released in the mid-1970s, Endless Summer was one of the first fast-selling albums sold on TV. Have you ever picked up the phone and purchased anything directly from TV? Not me, but Peter has. He's a sucker for commercials.:O)

4) The Beach Boys are very popular in Australia. Have you ever been Down Under? No, but I would love to someday!!

5) Actor John Stamos played bongos on the Beach Boys' hit, "Kokomo." In his younger days, Stamos was Blackie on the daytime drama, General Hospital. Have you ever followed a soap opera?  Peter & I were Guiding Light fans, and after that went off he started dvr-ing Y & R. I usually watch too if I'm around.

6) Many Beach Boys songs revolve around the surf. Have you ever been on a surf board?  Um, nope!

7) Would you prefer summer to be endless? Or do you enjoy the changing seasons? I LOVE the seasons, some more than others. Fall is my favorite time of the year!

8) Do your summer 2013 plans include a trip to a waterpark? No, we'll be skipping the waterparks.

9) Describe your swimsuit. My swimsuit (purchased 2 years ago for a trip to FL) still has the tags on it. I do love it though and may actually put it on someday. I got it from Lands End. It is similar to the picture below.

more great grilling.....

So I tried the grilled smoked turkey breast today and it was amazing!!!!




I sliced off several pieces of the uncooked turkey breast and added lots of spices: salt, pepper, parsley, paprika, rosemary, basil, and garlic powder. I added a pat of butter and a dash of lemon juice, then sealed in heavy duty foil. Peter got the grill nice & smokey, then he added the foil packets. He ended up opening up the foil half way through cooking it. We also had brussels sprouts {which we grilled} and mashed potatoes. The turkey had so much flavor and was so tender. My new favorite grill recipe!!! :O)

summer get-away {5}

On Sunday, we got up early and talked a little with Lindsey before she left for work, then I cooked breakfast for the 3 of us. Later, we rode out with Logan and he drove us all around town. We stopped to see where they are thinking about having their wedding. They want an outside wedding and Lindsey really loves this spot, so if it isn't already booked, this is where it will take place! We didn't get out of the truck, but I took some pictures....it looks perfect! The view is gorgeous.





{{{I'm sure we will all be praying hard for pretty weather that day!!! }}} :O)

We went back to Logan's and had lunch, then we headed home. Peter DID NOT want to leave!!

We had a great weekend with Lindsey & Logan, and had some much needed us time too!

summer get-away {4}

It was soooo hot at the tournament, so by the time we parked, we headed straight for something cold to drink. We bought some shaved ice and found a nice bench in the shade facing the beach.

This is one of the best things I've eaten all summer!!
We people watched for awhile and had the best laugh as we watched this lady "try" to fly a kite. I had put {-fly a kite} on our Summer List and Peter hasn't been too excited about the idea. LOL This lady was running back and forth trying to get the kite in the air, and Peter kept saying she was doing it all wrong. I told him he should offer to help her. LOL We sat a little longer and then I spotted a man standing off to the side with his arms folded, just watching this lady go back and forth. I joked that it was probably her husband/boyfriend and she probably had "fly a kite" on their Summer List. :O) The man finally gave in and tried to help. Peter said that watching this couple fly a kite was as close as we were going to come to kite flying this summer, so I snapped a picture and we've since marked that item off the list! :O) LOL


I saw this new ride {or at least I hadn't seen or ridden it before} and I was soooo tempted to ride it, but doing rides alone is no fun at all. I will definitely give it try next time...it looks so fun!


It was almost sunset, so we headed for the pier.

I thought this picture turned out pretty cool! :O)


What a crowd!!


It doesn't get much better than this!! :O)

What an awesome day!!

summer get-away {3}

On our way to the restaurant, we noticed signs for the O.C. Tuna Tournament that was going on this weekend. I suggested we check it out after dinner.

Peter LOVED it!!...and so did I.
We parked and a golf cart took us to the pier. We got there just as the first boat was coming in with their catch. We had managed to get an awesome spot....
















We stayed a couple of hours and even though all of the boats hadn't come in yet, we decided we should leave if we wanted to spend a little time on the boardwalk.

This is always a great sight!!