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Mysteries, polka dots, California Rolls, TJ Maxx, cozy blankets, rainy days and getting the first spoonful of peanut butter out of the jar make me smile. Spiders, rude people, cold fingers and toes, baby leashes, people that don't wrap their packages before going to the Post Office, poison ivy and Math (pretty much all of it) make me want to scream. My perfect day would be spent with my wonderful husband and sweet girls- watching movies in our jammies! Of course, having the movie theater to ourselves would be great, too. Please pass the popcorn and M&M's.:) I am saved by the grace of God. He is my constant companion and hears my every prayer. What a blessing! I'd love to hear from you! Lori at toosillysisters@cox.net

Monday, June 30, 2008

Daisys and Dots...

   I'm a winner!  I won the CUTEST 4th of July paper cake decoration from daisysanddots.blogspot.com!   Trish is an absolute sweetie pie and makes the cutest things!  Stop by and check out her shop at daisysanddots.etsy.com.  Thanks Trish- my cake is happily decorating my dining room table!  I feel so festive!

What's in the mail today?



   I used to love watching "Bear in the Big Blue House" (Disney channel) with Mandy.  He would sing, "What's in the mail today?  What's in the mail today?  I wonder, wonder...".  Do you remember him?  I know my friend, Alicia, was a fan, too so I am not alone.:-)  Anyway, I loved what was in MY mail today!  My new friend, Heather, from the Summer Reading Swap sent me 4 fabulous books that I have never read before, candy corn and peanuts (she promises that this is a fabulous combination and I can't wait to try it!), salt and vinegar potato chips- yum!, treats for the girls (they were thrilled!) and a gift card to Chili's because she knows I love their chips and salsa.:-)  Thanks so much Heather!  I can't wait for you to read Harlan Coben......

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Wanted

   Pure adrenaline rush.  Take your husband/boyfriend/best friend to go see it.  I forgot all about the popcorn and worked on remembering to breathe...

Saturday, June 28, 2008

The Pact

   I finished this book in two days.  From the opening page I guarantee you will be unable to put it down.  I was reading until late in the night and even waking up in the middle of the night to read it!  Such an amazing look into a part of life that I pray I never have to experience.  Now I am looking forward to reading The Tenth Circle.  While I was exercising on the elliptical tonight the movie was on the Lifetime channel.  I reallllly wanted to watch the whole thing, but since the book is always better, I restrained myself.  Have any of you read The Tenth Circle yet?  What did you think?  How about The Pact?

You Just Never Know...

I walked into the garage this afternoon to get something and realized it was quiet, the temperature was just right and my May issue of Country Home magazine was begging to be opened.  So I thought, why not?  The garage door was open and I was able to listen to the rain fall and my daughter singing as she walked through the puddles.  I sat in the car for about 15 delicious minutes (with my toes on the windshield) and was inspired by the words and pictures. Sheer bliss.  No one needed me or called for me.  Or maybe they just didn't know where I was?  Anyway, I highly recommend the garage if you need a tiny escape from the real world for while.  Who would have ever thought?

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Golden Sands Bracelet

   Golden sand on the beach...  How I wish I was there!  But seriously, I really need some input...  I just finished this bracelet (I do my best work late at night!) and am trying to decide which picture(s) to put in my etsy shop.  Is the first one too busy with the flower pattern in the background?  I really want to show off the gorgeous freshwater pearls...  There are over 100 beads hand wrapped and I am tired.  Please let me know what you think.  I am going to bed.  Night night.



Favorite Things Swap package

Lucky me, I got three packages in the mail today!  There is nothing like a package to put a smile on my face.:-)  This treasure trove was from my Favorite Things Swap buddy, Miriam.  What a sweetie pie!  She sent me the most wonderful solid shampoo from Lush!  It smells just like honeysuckle- mmmm.  Let me tell you, Lush has the most incredible scents and their products are divine!  She also sent the yummiest cookies from Trader Joe's.  We had to open and sample them right away and, yep, we are hooked.  Good thing there are no Trader Joe's close by!  The newest copy of Real Simple magazine was also in the box.  The one magazine I DON'T get and absolutely love!  How did you know, Miriam??  Last, but not least, at the bottom of the box was the softest chocolate brown blanket!  I feel so completely spoiled!!  Thanks so much, Miriam!:-)  I will be sending your package very soon....

Me and my Joxlette!

Oh Joy!!!!!!  Look what I got in the mail today!  I was the lucky winner of a custom made joxlette from Joy-full-ness!
I am so in love!  I put it on my hat and then I tried it on my straw bag AND later I will even try it on a dress!  It adds so much to everything it touches.  Kind of like the cherry on top!:-)  Thanks so much, Joy!  I will definitely be buying some more in the near future!  You must stop by her blog and etsy shop.....  




I think I'll stick with Tide...

   We had so much fun with my friend, Alicia, and her family last night!  We met for dinner and spent a fun evening visiting, playing "Hangman" and discussing the joys (or not!) of making your own laundry detergent.:-)  



Tuesday, June 24, 2008

History Camp

   My girls are attending History Camp this week.  It's amazing all that they are doing and learning.  On the first day of camp the girls made sun prints, old fashioned toy telephones, tintype pictures, ice cream and on and on...  I love the way the pictures turned out!  A local artist showed them how to do this.  Today they learned about the Civil War and made butter and hard tack (tough biscuits that the soldiers used to eat- NOT a new favorite).  Tomorrow they will be learning how to make lace friendship bracelets.  It makes me wish I could still go to camp.  How about you??

Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Dessert

   Here's a sweet treat to make without heating up your house.  I got it from my friend, Lisa.  Go ahead and make it.  You know you want to.....:-)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Dessert

12 Oreo cookies crushed
2 TBSP butter melted
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cups cold milk
2 pkg. instant chocolate pudding
2 cups thawed Cool Whip divided
2 TBSp hot fudge ice cream topping (I skipped this)
1/4 cup Reese's Pieces

Mix crushed cookies and butter.  Press firmly in the bottom of an 8x8 pan.

Place peanut butter in bowl and gradually add milk, stirring with a wire whisk until well blended.  Add dry pudding mixes and beat 2 min.  Stir in 1 cup of whipped topping.  Spread onto prepared crust and top evenly with remaining whipped topping.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Microwave fudge topping as indicated on label and drizzle over top.  Top with candy pieces.  Yum!

The Simple Woman's Summer Swap

Yes, ladies and gentleman I have joined yet another swap.  They are just too much fun!  I love meeting new and wonderful people (they usually end up turning into great friends!) and, of course, I love getting packages in the mail.:-)  Today is the last day to sign up for this swap so hurry and check it out!  thesimplewoman.blogspot.com.  You must send something new, something of your own you would like to share and something thrifted to your partner.  Easy enough!:-)

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Red, White and Blueberries



   I love berries, especially when you get to pick them yourself!  We had a blast picking red raspberries and blueberries this weekend.  I LOVE raspberries!  I even risked a "spider encounter" for them!  (You never know when you are going to come across something with 8 legs- ugh)  These pictures make me think of the 4th of July.  Wouldn't this be great for a 4th of July party?  Parfait glasses filled with sweet berries- and perhaps some vanilla ice cream?  Yummmmy!
What big plans do you have for the 4th of July?  

Best Friends

   I love it when my girls are best friends.:-)  Mandy is sharing her Ipod with Katie in this picture.  See how they both have one part of the head phones?  Just had to take a picture....

Watching the Grass Grow






   When I was younger I used to hear about people doing nothing but "sitting and watching the grass grow".  BORING, I thought.  Well, now that I am older and wiser, I think that occasionally watching the grass grow would be good for all of us!  We spend our lives rushing, rushing, rushing.  Well, this weekend we lucked into an amazing yard sale that was selling a new porch swing.  Beautiful all weather wicker with gorgeous, comfy cushions.  Jeff scooped it up and we brought it home.   Then he spent this evening putting it up- thanks Honey!  Now we can spend more time doing nothing but watching our grass grow.:-)


Saturday, June 21, 2008

Sneak Peek...


   Here's a sneak peek at my Too Silly Sisters Etsy shop!
This is part of my "little princess" collection.  They are one of a kind pieces and so sweet.  I love creating jewelry for little girls.  The tricky part is that my girls want to keep everything!  That makes for a very empty Etsy shop.:(  If you can't wait for my shop to open, these lovelies are available for purchase- today!  Feel free to e-mail me at toosillysisters@cox.net .:-)
   I am also working on some lovely jewels for ladies, so be watching for my next sneak peek!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Kindred Spirits

   I absoutely adore Anne of Green Gables.  Don't you?  I always think of her when I meet a "kindred spirit".  In fact, I have met many kindred spirits through blogging.  You know who you are and I adore each and every one of you.:-)  This week at currclick.com  they are offering a free 34 page study guide for Anne of Green Gables.  It includes questions, vocabulary, crossword puzzles, etc.  I don't think Mandy is quite ready to read Anne yet as it is a bit advanced, but I am keeping this guide for when the time comes.  Stop by and get a copy for yourself!

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery

Do you have "American Girl" fans at your house?  We are big fans here and can't wait to see the new "Kit" movie!  It's coming out on July 2nd- just around the corner!  We have not yet read the Kit books, so you know what we will be doing over the next few weeks.:-)

Monday, June 16, 2008

Too Silly Sisters is coming to Etsy!


   Psssst!  Too Silly Sisters is coming to etsy!  I am currently working on new inventory for my jewelry shop and am drowning in pearls, Swarovski crystals, lapis, cat's eye, tiger's eye, buttons and more.  Just the way I like it!  I am so excited!  Sneak peeks to follow over the next few days....

Wisdom and the Millers

   We have started reading the most wonderful set of books by Mildred A. Martin.  They are entertaining and each chapter explains and illustrates a passage from the book of Proverbs in the Bible.  The stories are character building and inspirational.  I am learning along with my children!  The book we are reading right now is called Wisdom and the Millers, but there are many others to choose from.  You can buy them new from Christian bookstores and used through amazon.  

Irish Dancing

   Katie is my little dancer.  Everything is fine as long as you don't ask her to get in the water- lol! (See "Swim like a Fish" below)  She excels in ballet and gymnastics (I'm allowed to brag because I am her Mom.:-)) and now is trying Irish dancing.  I love Ireland, don't you?  Today was her second class and I think that she has found something that is going to challenge her.  It's unlike anything she has done before.  By the end of class today she was starting to get the hang of things.  I hope she doesn't ask me to help her practice as I don't have a clue as to what is going on!  I just know that I like to watch her and I enjoy the music...  I can't wait to buy her some ghillies (soft shoes- see pic.).  They are so cute worn with the poodle socks!  The little girl next to her has a pair on.  Lisa, I'll be calling you to get the scoop!

Swim like a Fish


   I was so proud of Katie today.  She took her first swimming lesson even though she is quite afraid of the water without her Dora "donut".  She can really get around in that thing, but it's not true swimming.  So, she listened to her teacher and performed remarkably well!  She was very close to tears a number of times (It was so hard watching her face crumble, eyes pleading "Please help me!") but she endured.  She was quite the trooper!  A few times today she said to me, "You know, Mom, I don't like swimming lessons that much."  I explained to her that it was important to know how to swim, and maybe (if we are REALLY lucky) we will be able to get a pool in our backyard.  I told you my husband rocks.:-)   I wonder how tomorrow will go, but as for today I could not have been prouder.  Good job, Katie!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Father's Day


First of all I have to say that my husband should win Dad of the Year.  He absolutely rocks.  He makes sure my gas tank is full, helps home school our girls after work, can fix anything, cleans out the cat's "glitter box" (even though he barely tolerates the cat), treats me to a cleaning lady, watches "chick flicks" with me, and the list goes on and on. Living in a house with 3 girls, he indulges us all constantly- with no (or very little) complaints.  He takes us shopping, to the movies and, oh my yes, out to eat.  The two things that he loves to do (that are not my favorites) are ride his bike and go geocaching.  He manages to squeeze these activities in occasionally, but for the most part he lets us do "girl stuff".:-)  
   Today we tried to make it exclusively "Daddy's Day".  The girls painted Jeff a tray and then Katie brought him cereal for breakfast.  He loved the handmade tray!  Later we went to Mimi's Cafe for brunch.  Yum.  Then it was off to see "The Incredible Hulk", which we all really enjoyed.  Yes, there was quite a bit of violence, but I just whispered silly things to Katie like "I think the Hulk needs a makeover" and we giggled together.:-)  Jeff attempted a few geocaches, but had no luck.  We went together for the last cache and were in luck!  Just the way to end Daddy's Day.:-)  The girls are so lucky to have such a loving, generous, goofy, sweet, smart, and gorgeous Dad!



Saturday, June 14, 2008

Summer Reading Swap!

   I just found out about the really fun Summer Reading Swap at vermillionrules.blogspot.com!  You send your partner a great book (does not have to be new- just in good condition) and a snack or two to enjoy while she reads it.  That's it!  Sounds great to me!:-)  Sign ups are only until midnight tonight, so stop by her blog and sign up- before it's too late!!