Hellooooo there! So I know I haven't popped in for a few days, but I've been buuuuusy. But today, I've got a whole lotta random to share....some of what's been going on around here, a few book recommendations, and who knows what else! Ha.
So last weekend, we went to my cousin's birthday party and my sister (Diann) and her crew came to town, so we got to spend the afternoon/evening with all my favorite little people!! With a 4 year old (Ally), a 3 year old (Malachi), an 18 month old (Zoey) and a 7 week old (Laynie), there was never a dull moment and there's pretty much always someone to hold or play with or feed or change or wipe (HA!).....are you getting the picture! It's chaos of the best kind. As long as they're not crying. lol.
That's Bartley in the photo up above, holding Baby Laynie. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
This boy also had his birthday this week, so we went to a new Irish restaurant to celebrate. Ohhh, the potato cakes. Happy sigh...well, more of a happy groan.....
Then the next day, it rained. I realize that to some of you this may hardly seem worth blogging about, but trust me, any 'rain event' (as the weather man is so fond of saying these days) is worth blogging about. This one lasted a grand total of 3 minutes. Sad. We're in a drought here -- we've had 1/3 of the rainfall we normally get, so ANY rain is worth celebrating.
Windsor and I ran outside to sit on the porch and watch the rain. By the time we got outside, it rained for approximately 30 seconds before it stopped. But those were 30 glorious seconds.
When we were in Napa Valley last year, we fell in love with the Crepe Myrtle trees that are EVERYwhere there. So when we got home, we did some research and found some varieties of crepe myrtle (both tree and bush) that will grow in our zone and ordered some off the internets. :) They came, we planted, we watered (because obviously we're not getting any rain), we watched, they grew and then....wait for it.......they BLOOMED! Both the tree and the 5 bushes we planted, which were teeeeeeeny tiny, have grown and all have blooms on them. Hurray! So next year, look out world! I can't wait to see how big they'll get!
It's also been quite awhile since I've shared some book recommendations. I've got a few for you today.....
Turnabout's Fair Play by Kaye Dacus
This first one is the third in a series, and they're all really cute. Think meddling Grandmas trying to marry off their single grandchildren, romantic comedy sort of books. :)
Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James
A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
These last two are obviously both historical fiction with some drama thrown in for good measure as well as just good clean love stories. Just how I like 'em! :)
Before I go, how about a couple shopping recommendations? The new Woodland Park collection from October Afternoon is hitting stores and it is cute, cute, cute!
View Woodland Park at Two Peas HERE.
View Woodland Park at Ellen Hutson HERE.
Have you seen this Lively collection from Authentique? Those colors are gorgeous!!
I love these Amy Tangerine Leaves....perfect for tucking behind any of the myriad of flowers I love to create! I've run out and need to get some more. Those pink ones are calling my name. :) And interestingly enough, it looks like they'll coordinate perfectly with that Authentique paper!
I've also been doing some Copic coloring this week. Don't forget that if you need some Copics to add to your collection, Ellen Hutson has Copic Markers for 25% off!
All righty, Crew, that's it from me today. I'm so excited that it's the weekend!! It's GORGEOUS here today. I can't wait for my hottie hubs to get home so we can have some fun! I'm reading a book on my Kindle so maybe I'll get to read a bit this weekend too -- I'll let you know if it's a good one!
Take care, friends! What are you up to this weekend?
