Back to School Shopping

YEAH....I'm done shopping.  My daughter Gina and I have been shopping for back to school. She is going to be in 11th grade, so the shopping list was big because it also included a car and setting up her first checking account.  We took our time shopping looking for bargains.  I think we did great staying within our budget.  The best part for me was that I got to spend a lot of time with her.  It has been amazing to watch her grow into a very nice, smart, and respectful young lady.  Hopefully when she starts school in a couple of weeks, the teachers don't send a request for more school supplies.  It is time for mommy to sit back and relax.  My work is done....for now.

 

If you're still shopping, I wish you the best of luck.  The stores are getting crowded and the supply shelves will soon be empty.  My suggestions are to go in with a list of items you need and a clear budget.  Don't get side-tracked by "sale" signs that only lure you in.  Buy good quality items at reasonable prices.  While you're shopping in the crazyness, stop and take a deep breath.  Enjoy yourself and try to treat yourself to something too.

 

 

National Peach Month

August is National Peach Month, according to the American Food and Drink Days database.  I love peaches especially in hot peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream.  Peach trees are not native to deep south Texas where I grew up so we usually bought them at the grocery store.  When they weren't in season I would buy them canned in light syrup.  When I was in elementary we used to get peaches as part of our school lunch.  One of the first things I learned to bake from scratch was peach cobbler.  It has also been a while since I have made a peach pie.  I'm going to wait until winter to bake because its way too hot during the summer.  At this point a store bought peach pies works perfectly for me.  I like adding peaches to my oatmeal and in my spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette.  Getting hungry.....

When I think of peaches now I can't help but think of Paula Deen, the sweetest Georgia peach.  I just adore her cooking shows and her fun-loving charm.  She inspires people to be themselves and expect great things in the simple things in life.  God gave her a special smile and way of making people feel special.  Her success inspires me and makes me believe that great things can come happen when we serve from the heart. 


Paula Deen Peach Recipes

         

 

Forever 21

Can we really be Forever 21?   I would hope that part of us can be, like the spirit of youth that looks at life with excitement and curiosity.   Can it be possible to have an untainted view of relationships and a dreaded view of financial independence?  I hope for days with lighter loads and carefree joy.  Forever 21 can also have a fresh look on dreams and goals.  Much comes with maturity but sometimes more comes from youthful vision.  This weekend I'm going shopping with my daughter Gina, who is a high school junior.   She starts 11th grade in a few weeks.  We are headed to the mall early Saturday morning to shop at her favorite store, Forever 21.  The store has lots beautiful clothes and their prices are so affordable. I am enjoying this time with Gina so very much.  She is smart, respectful, and outgoing; and the older she gets the more we have good times shopping.  I love buying her clothes and accessories, and having "Girls Day" at the mall.  Fun, Fun, Fun!!

 

FRIDAY BLOG PARTIES

It's a Hodgepodge Friday  Friday Blog Hop at Home Grown  Blog Hop Friday at Chubby Cheek  Friendly Friday at Thanks Mail CarrierFollowing Friday at Lets Just Give it Away  Friday Blog Hop at Momma to 3 BlessingsFollow Friday 40 and Over at Never Growing Old  Social Parade Follow at Smart and Trendy Moms   Boost My Blog Friday at Design it Chic 

Live - Laugh - Love

National Watermelon Day ~ Latin Style

 

Even though July was National Watermelon Month, Wednesday, Aug. 3, is National Watermelon Day. While watermelon is over 90% water, it sure tastes good.  Did you know that there are around 300 varieties of watermelon in the U.S. and Mexico alone?  They come in many festive colors like red, pink, white or yellow.  Growing up in deep south Texas where watermelons are a common crop, we always had the sweetest tasting watermelons to choose from.  Occasionally we would go across into Mexico to shop for the day, and I always loved seeing the vendor carts.  The Mexican aesthetic is beautiful and bright, chaotic yet orderly, surreal yet existing right in front of your eyes, and so very magical.  The streets are lined with fruit vendors serving up delicious freshly cut fruits.  To truly appreciate the essence of the country, you should buy some watermelon and mango slices tossed with lime juice and chili powder.  It is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy all in one delicious and crunchy bite. 

 

  Chicken Quesadillas with a Watermelon-Jicama Salad   Build on the traditional Mexican classic by adding fun new ingredients like sliced mushrooms and a different creamy cheese. Watermelon-jicama salad is a refreshing side dish for this easy summer dish. recipe

Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast with Watermelon-Jalapeño Salsa Sweet watermelon perfectly complements the earthy spices—oregano, chili powder, and cumin—used to marinate juicy chicken breasts.  recipe Watermelon MargaritasBecause of the sweetness of the watermelon this margarita doesn't need much sugar, so one glass has only 105 calories. A little bit of fresh lime juice brightens the drink and adds a welcome tanginess. For a special touch, rim your glasses with sugar and garnish with lime wedges and watermelon balls. recipe  Watermelon-Jalapeño Ice PopsThe perfect treat for a hot day, especially during this blazing hot summer seaon.  A mix of watermelon, sugar, lemon juice, and jalapeno for that extra kick.  A bit of pectin helps keep all the ingredients incorporated evenly; without it, they tend to separate.  recipe  

Wednesday Blog Hops

Welcome Wednesday at Take it From Me

Follow Me Wednesday at 3 Four and Under

Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family

Wondering Wednesday at Paisley Passion

Great Moms Think Alike at The Unexpected Mother

Catch the Wave Wednesday at Blogging Hints

Winter Friends Wednesday at 3 Princes And A Princess 2 

It’s Be-Bop-A Blog Hop Daddy-O! at Mommy Living the Life of Riley

Handmade Wednesday at Blue Eyed Blessings

Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond

Relax & Make Friends at Mommie Point of View

 

Gabrielle Giffords

Last night I was watching the news as Congress was voting on the Debt Ceiling.  I was moved to tears when I saw Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords stand up to place her vote.  It was just earlier this year that she was shot.  Her commitment to her country and her constituents goes beyond service.  She is a vision of the human spirit at its best.  I give glory to God for his healing powers and to the talented doctors who helped her in her recovery.  For a few minutes yesterday in Congress there was not a political division.  Everyone came together to honor the spirit and service of Gabrielle Giffords.

 

 Gabrielle Giffords Returns to Congress for Debt Ceiling Vote 

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., returned to Congress tonight for the first time since being shot in the head in January, casting a vote in support of the compromise debt ceiling bill.  “Congresswoman Giffords has been following this debate closely over the past two weeks," she said. "Like the vast majority of Americans, she is extremely disappointed at Washington’s inability to confront the debt ceiling issue in a timely and thoughtful manner.”  Her appearance on the floor "melted even the hardest hearts," Wasserman Schultz told Sawyer.

 

Carefree Texas

There are several cafes around the city that use such beautiful color scheme in the design.  It is so whimsical and carefree, the type that says "come as you are:.  One of the things I really enjoy about living near big cities is that I can be relaxed and people are unpretentious.  I know that living in Texas life does seam bigger than life, but sometimes Texas is seen in the small details.  We are flip-flops along the coastal beaches of South Padre Island and cowboy boots at church in New Braunfels hill country.  We are rodeo diva bling in north Texas at the Fort Worth Rodeo and lots of spicy Latin sundresses at the River Walk in San Antonio.  Our colors are vibrant just like the people.  We love our iced teas and cold Texas beer.  Rustic dance halls fill the west  Texas pan-handle, and coffee shops are know to have an old Texas Poet singing his words.  We love our history and we celebrate it with pride.  We appreciate vintage or antiques just as much as the skylines of gorgeous Dallas and Austin.  We are colorful, confident, and bold to the core. 

MONDAY BLOG HOPS

It's Monday Hop Along with Me - Single Parent Retreat

Follow Us Monday Morning - Frugality is Free

Meet and Greet Monday - Southern Reflextions

Mingle Monday - KdBuggie Boutique

Network Monday - Ashley Petite

Meet Me on Monday Blog Hop at Inspiring You to Save

I Love my Online Friends at The Things We Find Inside