I Can't Help It....

This is one of the little splashes of color I have recently added to my nest.

I know it isn't officially time to put away the white sandals and sunscreen (especially here), but I absolutely adore the fall. To me it is like an unopened present just waiting for me to tear into it. I love anxiously waiting for the first cool day that I can wear a sweater. I love the colors and I love the spicy smells of fall. For some strange reason this night owl was up bright and early this morning. I have already taken inventory in my kitchen. I have a loaf of banana nut bread in the oven. I have to buy a couple of ingredients, but when I get home this afternoon I will be making good use of the other overly ripened produce on my counter. Tomorrow I will be able to enjoy Orange Poppy Seed Bread and Autumn Pear Bread. MMM... I can smell it already.... wait that's the banana nut bread that's in the oven! Gotta Go.

Scroll All The Way To The Bottom....

If you would like to view the new slideshow I just put together.

Between Naps on the Porch

I found a beautiful blog that I thought you all might enjoy. Simply click on the title that follows ..... Between Naps on the Porch

Look Who's Sewing....

Whenever I am working on a project (art, cooking, sewing, you name it) Eloise is never far away. She is very creative and gets very frustrated with the fact that all of the "fun stuff" (i.e. my sewing machine) is off limits to little hands. Gran made her dreams come true this past Sunday when she gave her a beginners sewing kit and machine. It is a real Kenmore....just in miniature form. It is so cute.

This is a gift that will keep on giving. The skills she will acquire will last a lifetime, unlike plastic toys and baubles.

THANKS FOR BEING THE BEST GRAN IN THE WORLD!

From the heart.....

Even though we had our huge group Birthday party at the beginning of the month, Eloise's actual birthday didn't arrive till the end of August. We made her wait till the actual day to receive her gifts from Mommy & Daddy. First of all we wanted her day to be special and second we were buying ourselves a little more time.....

I picked out fabrics...


...and sorted through patterns.

We let the cupcakes for Eloise's class cool while....

...Daddy drew up building plans.

At 4:30 this morning those plans became a reality.




While Eloise was sleeping her doll had a makeover.

She also got to trade in her basket/bed for a new one that matches her big sister's.

The cupcakes are all ready to be delivered to school...



...and our daughter now has several hand made gifts from her two biggest fans.

HAPPY BIG "9" BABY GIRL

WE LOVE YOU!

The Party Is Over.....

Connie: in the seahorse exhibit at the Aquarium of the Americas.

The last of our six summer guests has returned home. We have now celebrated 12 Birthdays in August and I have been to downtown New Orleans more times in the past month than I have in the past couple of years. In the above pic I am standing with my Mother's best friend from California. We took her to the Camellia Grill, the Aquarium of the Americas, and of course we had to stop by Cafe Du Monde for beignets (Ben-Yayz) and Cafe au lait.

There is no place like home.

My Latest Project....

I have always wanted a window behind my kitchen sink so that I don't have to look at a boring old wall when I wash dishes. Due to the fact that the plumbing from upstairs runs right behind my sink, this was not possible. I decided to fake a stained glass window. As you can see, I am not afraid of color. I think it must be my Chinese roots showing.LOL.

What do you think?

I know it's probably not for everyone, but I'm growing quite fond of it myself.

P.S. If you double click on the picture it will enlarge and you can read the words. When you do this the picture has a slight glare(not there in real life) and you can see the nail holes in the frame that hubby made. We are going to fill those and touch up with paint.

Birthdays Abound.....

In the month of August our family has 8 Birthdays and 3 of our dear friend's also celebrate their births this month.
That leaves us with a grand total of 11 Birthdays in August!

Last Sunday we got together at my Sissy's house to celebrate some of the children's (officially) and adult's (unofficially) Birthdays all at once.

It's truly a blessing to have a brother-in-law who is an awesome chef who also has awesome chef friends.

I couldn't fit pics of all of the food. This was just one counter loaded with calories.

This little guy isn't big on sushi, but had no problems polishing off that cupcake.

These are the two cakes honoring the 4 cousins(2 girls & 2 boys).

The two boy cousins were actually born on the exact same day in two different countries.

P.S. This has been the best summer ever. We haven't stopped, but we have enjoyed every minute. I am usually sad about Eloise going back to school. This is the first year I can actually say that I am ready for routine and normally paced life to resume. Four members of our family just returned to South Carolina and a friend of ours will be arriving from California on Sunday. It looks like we are just going to party till the end! Eloise starts school this Wednesday.

I probably won't be posting that day.....

I have a lot of beauty rest to catch up on.