Thursday, September 29

Playtime

Peanut is loving her big girl bed.  In fact, I have to make her bed several times a day as she loves to climb in and snuggle away.  I can't imagine what it will be like once she has her own full size bed. 



























She is also loving the dollies my parents got for her for her birthday.   And seriously, what's not to love?  They have their very own little wardrobe with lots of changes of clothes, shoes, and accessories. 

And the shoes.  They are so many.  And they are so cute.  I'm jealous!



























Funny story about the pink shoes by the way.  So she told me dolly needed to be put to bed, so I set her on the bed.  Peanut said, "NO!  She has to take she shoes off first."

Oops.  My bad. 

So she takes them off dolly and sets them right next to the bed. 



























Oh, and then one more funny story.   Brace yourselves, I think this is about the cutest thing ever.  And for the record, I realize every parent thinks their child is the cutest (as they should!), so bear with me.

'Cause this is really cute.  

Peanut decided to measure dolly.  As in she stood Dolly up right next to the wall (like I do to her) and asked me for a pencil.  I gave her a pencil and said, "Gosh Dolly is getting so big."

And Peanut's response?

"Yeah, she is.  She'll be talking soon." 




Tuesday, September 27

Tomatoes!

I have mentioned a time or two that we have a really sweet landlord.  Not only has she given us an abundance of fresh produce, babysat our Peanut while Hubs and I went on date, and let us come over and swim a countless number of times, but just last week, she helped me put up my first batch of tomatoes.

And she gave me the tomatoes. 

Fresh from her organic garden.  



























Eight quarts worth. 

So, so, so nice, right? 


























 

I had canned apricots last summer (my first canning ever!) but I had never attempted tomatoes.  It was so nice of her to help guide me in the canning process and also help distract Peanut while I was up to my elbows in tomatoes.

Oh, and to top it all off.....

After processing the jars, you take them out of the water and you want to let them sit, undisturbed, for 12-24 hours.  At that point you can test the lids to make sure they sealed correctly.  I did remember all of this from before, but I wanted to double check with my landlord.

"Oh, no, no, no, no!  You want to let them sit for at least a week," she said.



























"Oh!  A whole week?  Why so much longer?" I asked, a little surprised. 

"So your husband knows how hard you worked." she tells me completely straight faced.

Isn't she too funny?!?!?!?!!!!! 


 

Monday, September 26

Sesame Pecan Chicken

This one was so good!  I was gifted a subscription to the Food Network magazine (which I LOVE!) and this was yet another one of their amazing recipes.  I will definitely be making this one again. 

























 

Sesame-Pecan Chicken Strips ~ slightly adapted from the Food Network Magazine

2 large eggs
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 teaspoon paprika
Coconut oil (mine is expellar pressed so it doesn't have the coconut flavor, although with this, it might not be bad)
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch-wide strips

In a cast iron skillet over medium to high heat, heat enough coconut oil so oil is about 1/4 inch deep.  This will vary depending on skillet size.  You know your oil is hot enough when you stick a wooden spoon in the oil and little bubbles roll off the spoon.  That's a Rachael Ray tip. 

Beat eggs in bowl, set aside.

In a flat dish, mix together panko, pecans, sesame seeds, paprika and a bit of salt.  Dip chicken strips in egg, fully coating each piece and then dredge the strips in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing mixture on chicken to help it adhere.  Cook chicken until golden brown or until thermometer reads 165 degrees--about three minutes per side. 

Drain on paper towels and serve with Lemon Parsley Rice for a complete meal. 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This recipe is linked to:

Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday
Blessed With Grace Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Designs By Gollum Foodie Friday
Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Friday Potluck at EKat's Kitchen
Hearth 'n Soul Recipe Swap at Premeditated Leftovers

Miz Helen's Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday  



Sunday, September 25

Menu Plan Monday












I think summer has bidden it's final farewell.  Yesterday it was almost 90 degrees and today it is supposed to be rainy with a high around 70.  Oh, and did I mention rainy?  I don't think we have had any real rain (like fully saturate the ground kind of rain) since the spring. 

I know, I know. 

All my family back home is probably just rolling their eyes, but hey, that is the one thing I L-O-V-E about living here.  (For the record, I don't hate it here, it's just that my heart is back in HomeTown.)  That said, I am very much looking forward to fall--with sweaters, bright fall colors, pumpkin flavored yummies, the smell of cinnamon....I could go on and on.  For this week, we will be having:

Sunday-Leftover Beef Barley Soup (I made a little more than I intended so we are eating that up)

Monday-Chicken Broccoli Couscous (one dish meal!)

Tuesday-Steaks, potatoes, green salads with ranch dressing

Wednesday-BLTs, green salads

Thursday-Taco salads (with leftover steak)

Friday-Chicken enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce, cilantro lime rice, green salads

Saturday-Leftovers

For other great menu plans, visit the Organizing Junkie



Saturday, September 24

Another Last and Another First

I talked awhile ago about some of Peanut's firsts and lasts.  About a week and a half ago she had another last and then another first.

Her last night in her crib.


























 
Her first night in a big girl bed.

At least that is what we told her.  You see, her crib is one of the three-in-ones that goes from a crib, to a toddler bed with a small ledge/rail, and finally to a full sized bed.  So she's not entirely in a big girl bed yet--but she will be in the next few months.  We just wanted to get her transitioned to sleeping in something that didn't have four "walls" before we got her into her regular bed.  She's been doing really well too.  She actually did fall out of the bed in the middle of the night (I think it was the third night in the bed?), but she wasn't injured at all.  Startled and irritated for sure, but not injured in the least. 



























We actually have a twin mattress bed set and (cute!) twin head board and foot board waiting for her in our garage.  Remember how I've said we save things?--there is a method to our madness, I assure you.  Anyhow, the mattress is all wrapped up nice and snug so it hasn't had a chance to get all nasty sitting in our garage for the last few years.   It's a good thing too that we have saved that bed, because our girl is TALL.  She just had her three year check up and our little love is 3'3" or 39 inches tall.  She has a little ways before she outgrows her current bed entirely--but not much.  So it is definitely good we are transitioning her now. 



























My biggest concern was her staying in bed and so far so good.  It hasn't been a problem at all.  We are ten days in and she's been doing really well at staying in bed once put to bed.  I realize that that may change, but for now?  So far, so good.

And Peanut?

She is loving it.  Just ask Grandma and Grandpa.  She was SO excited to tell them "all about it" and that is exactly what she did.



Tried It & Loved It: Vanilla Bean Cupcakes














These are a lovely little number.  Most of you would probably roll your eyes if I told you the reason I chose this recipe for Peanut's birthday "cake".  There were a couple of reasons actually.  The first being that I got those adorable red bandana cupcake liners (here) and when you bake darker colored cakes like chocolate, the print typically won't show through--at least not very well.  (Yes, I realize I didn't even end up baking them in the red liners, which had I to do again, I would have nixed the white liners and baked in the printed ones.  I didn't realize the humidity that day would droop the liners as we set them in the cute ones  But I digress).  The second reason being (the one for the eye rolling) that I wanted something yummy that didn't involve any artificial colors.  I completely realize that having those dyes once and a while won't kill you--at least that we know of.  Ha, ha.  But I also figure if I can find something that tastes great and doesn't have all that junk, then why not?

They were a hit too.  Several people told me how good they were....hopefully they weren't just being nice!  According to my sister-in-law niece (see comments below) they were "THE BEST CUPCAKES IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE."

Wow.

That's high praise!

But I really can't take too much credit, as the recipe isn't mine.  I do think they turned out cute.....and that I can take credit for.



























Vanilla Bean Cupcakes ~ from My Baking Addiction

for the cupcakes
2 1/4 cups cake flour (I used good ol' all purpose)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
4 large egg whites, room temperature
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
seeds scraped from one vanilla bean
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

for the buttercream
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
seeds scraped from one vanilla bean
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract (clear vanilla isn't "real" vanilla, so yes, I used the dark stuff)
1 ½ pounds (24 ounces) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
4-6 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin pan with liners or spray bottoms of cups.  Set aside. 

For the cupcakes, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.  In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar.  Add in the egg whites and mix together thoroughly.  Add in milk, vanilla seeds, and vanilla extract and mix well.  Add in flour mixture one cup at a time until thoroughly incorporated.  Continue mixing for two minutes to insure batter is aerated. 

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake for 18-24 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Mine were closer to the shorter end, probably around 19-20 minutes.....of course this will vary by your oven.  Cool on a wire rack.

For the buttercream, cream together butter and vanilla seeds until fluffy.  Add in powdered sugar and mix until blended.  Add in vanilla and and about half the milk and mix thoroughly.  Add in additional milk until desired consistency is reached.  Beat at high speed until light and fluffy.  Frost completely cooled cupcakes. 


 

    

Wednesday, September 21

Book Review: The Hour the Matters Most: The Surprising Power of the Family Meal


Family meal time. 

It’s something that is not as common as it used to be.  With most families having two working parents, children in school and involved in a handful of extracurricular activities, it is easy to see why this is becoming a lost tradition. 

I was asked to review the new book, The Hour the Matters Most: The Surprising Power of the Family Meal authored by Les & Leslie Parrott with Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna.  Les and Leslie Parrott are authors of the book, Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, along with many others.  Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna are the co-founders of Dream Dinners, a company that allows you to prepare make ahead freezer meals for busy families on the go at their numerous locations. 

The book is well written and is a very quick and easy read.  The authors discuss the merits of a family meal time and why it should be a priority in every family.   Of course we all know that having a family meal is important, but do we all know why it is so important?   The book was very well researched citing numerous statistics and research findings.  One that struck me to the core was this:

…study after study shows that the more often families eat together, the less likely the kids are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders, become overweight, and consider suicide—and the more likely they are to eat their vegetables, know which fork to use, learn big words, do well in school, feel that their parents love them, and delay having sex. 

Seriously?  What could be more convincing?  That pretty much sums up the tremendous value of a family meal time.  I could have stopped reading the book right there--that was all the convincing I needed!  However, I did agree to review the book, so I thought it only fair to read it in its entirety.  

A family meal time doesn’t guarantee that you won’t encounter any of these challenges as your children grow older, but it does show that if children are given a solid foundation at home, the less likely they will engage in questionable activities; and the more likely they will be emotionally stable.  

The authors also discuss the art of conversation and how to engage your children in discussions that will actually have them participate.  Of course, this is something I have yet to encounter, as our little Peanut is only three, but is something good to remember as she starts to get a little older.  For now though, she is still our little chatterbox!  

I found the book to be a real delight as it had so many interesting little tid bits and facts surrounding meal time, conversation making,  and family values.  There is even a chapter focused on manners and etiquette at the dinner table.   Did you know that the salt and pepper should always be passed together?  They are not to separate!  Although nowhere near perfect, I consider myself to be fairly polite, but I never knew that!  I’ve certainly made a mental note of it now!

In addition, the book includes a dozen recipes and they each include a color photo.  We all know I have a weakness for great recipes.  I look forward to trying most of them out--and the sooner, the better!

I also appreciate the last chapter, with advice for the reader on starting a fix and freeze it group.  It may not seem like a hard thing to start, however Stephanie and Tina break it down into several steps that make the task seem very manageable and easy to accomplish.   While we are not at the stage where our Peanut is involved in a myriad of activities, I know I will be using these tips in the future as she becomes more socially active.  

Last, I really like the analogy the authors use about prioritizing family meal time.  You’ve probably heard the story about the presenter who fills a gallon size jar up to the top with large rocks.  He asks the crowd if the jar is full.  Most say yes, but he then he pulls out some gravel and starts filling in the spaces with gravel.  He asks again if it is full.  Most have started to catch on at that point.  The presenter then starts filling in the smaller holes in the jar with sand and finally fills up the remaining space in the jar with nearly a quart of water.  The moral of the story is not that you can always fit more in, but rather had you started filling the jar with the sand or water; you would have never fit in the big rocks.  

Family meal time needs to be a big rock.  

Well, you know what I mean.  This is the attitude we need to have about family meal time.  Often times, a family meal is an afterthought, something that is squeezed in if and when it works.  But rather a family meal needs to be a top priority.  If it is a permanent fixture in your family’s schedule, then everything else should fall into place around that.    

Of course, it may not always look the same during the different seasons in your family’s life.  Maybe a family breakfast is what works for your family.  This is often the case at our house.  Being in the restaurant industry, about three quarters of the shifts that Hubs works, he works late.  But when he works late, he is home in the mornings and we always eat breakfast together.  Instead of us recapping at the end of the day like most families, we recap at the start of the morning.    Hopefully this won’t always be the case, but for now, it works.  And it works well.
 
If you get the chance, I encourage you to pick up copy of The Hour the Matters Most: The Surprising Power of the Family Meal.  If a family meal is something you desire for your home, this may be a great first step.


Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book to facilitate this review.  The opinions expressed in this post are solely my own. 


 

Monday, September 19

Spicy Sausage and Roasted Eggplant Pasta

I came across a recipe in a magazine my sister-in-law gifted to me but of course I can never leave well enough alone.  By the time I was done with making the recipe, it was pretty much my own.  Plus, eggplants were on sale at the grocery store a few weeks back and it was the perfect opportunity to come up with my own version.  Can I just pat myself on the back?



























'Cause it was amazing.

That probably sounds really conceited.

But it was.  Really.

Give it a whirl.  You'll be glad you did.  

OH!  By the way.....just a little PSA for you all.  The recipe called for ricotta (low fat of course, which we all know I don't do) so I picked up some organic ricotta.  Not because it was organic (that part was a bonus), but because the price was right and it was whole fat ricotta rather than the low fat/no fat traditional brands.   Ohmylanta, was it GOOD.  I am usually indifferent to ricotta, but this stuff......seriously??!?!?!?!  This is what I've been missing?  Folks, once you go whole fat, you'll never go back.  For reals.  

Notice the garden fresh tomatoes and cucumber on the salad.  Sigh.....I miss summer already!

Spicy Sausage and Roasted Eggplant Pasta

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 large eggplant, cut up in 1/2 inch cubes
Salt and Pepper
8 oz. small piece pasta (I used whole wheat penne)
1/2 cup onion, diced
8 oz. spicy sausage  (I use the habanero chicken sausage from Costco), cubed
1/2 tsp oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp capers
2 Tbsp red wine
1 Tbsp vinegar (I used rice)
1/3 cup parsley, minced
Salt
Ricotta cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place cubed eggplant on a baking sheet (I used my baking stone).  Drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Roast in preheated oven for about 25 minutes, stirring eggplant about half way through the cooking.  Eggplant will be tender and smaller in size when finished.  Remove from oven and set aside.

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta and eggplant are cooking, in a separate skillet, over high heat add onion and sausage with several drizzles of olive oil and cook until sausage is starting to brown and onions are translucent.  (My sausage comes fully cooked, so I was just heating it through.)  Reduce heat to medium and add oregano, garlic, tomatoes, capers, red wine, vinegar, and eggplant.  Allow sauce to heat through and reduce slightly.  Stir in pasta and parsley, reserving about 2 tablespoons parsley for serving.

Serve pasta with a generous scoop (about 2 tablespoons) of ricotta on top and sprinkle with remaining parsley.



♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This recipe is linked to:

Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday
Blessed With Grace Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Designs By Gollum Foodie Friday
Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Friday Potluck at EKat's Kitchen
Hearth 'n Soul Recipe Swap at Premeditated Leftovers

La Bella Vita's Fresh Clean and Pure Friday 
Miz Helen's Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday  





Sunday, September 18

Menu Plan Monday

So I didn't get to everything last week, but that really is nothing new!  Summer is definitely hanging around, as the temps are still going to be in the mid 80s this week.  Despite that, I am very much getting in the fall mood.  That is due largely in part because I have worn long pants twice in the last week and my bathrobe is now a necessity in the cool mornings.  And as a matter of fact, yes, I simply couldn't wait for the official start of fall and I already "hung" my new fall banner!   For this week,

Sunday-Roast Chicken, Crash Hot Potatoes, Sauteed Zucchini   

Monday-Lasagna--using this tip (I talked to my mom the other day and she was making it and it just sounded good), steamed broccoli

Tuesday-Swedish Meatballs, Green Salad

Wednesday-Chicken Pasta with Homemade Pesto

Thursday-Chicken Tetrazini, roasted veggies

Friday-Beef Barley Soup

Saturday-Leftovers



For other great menu ideas, visit the Organizing Junkie.  

 

Saturday, September 17

Tried It & Loved It: No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls














On our trip to visit the Hubs' parents last month, one of the mornings my mother-in-law made a version of these rolls.  Her recipe is one that has actually been handed down through the family--it's one of those recipes I've been meaning to get from her.  I just haven't gotten around to it yet.  Kinda' like those muffins from awhile back.

In blog hopping a few weeks ago, I came across this recipe for a quick bread cinnamon roll and I knew I needed to try it.  I big fluffy pink hearts love cinnamon rolls, but I don't make them too often because a) they are a yeast bread and that takes time in the morning--which I don't have when I have a hungry Peanut--OR you have to plan ahead, and I don't do that too often when it comes to breakfast and b) cinnamon rolls have tons of sugar and I try to be somewhat conscious of that.  Not to say we never have sugar, but I do try it watch it somewhat.  Ahem.

Anywho, I thought a No Yeast Cinnamon Roll was a perfect recipe to try.  These were really good, although they are different than their traditional yeast counterpart.  Not bad, just different.  All in all a great option if you have a hankering for cinnamon rolls but you don't have several hours or you simply want them sooner than later.  ;) 



























No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls ~ adapted from Abby at Cats and Casseroles

for the filling:
3/4 c. packed dark brown sugar (I used sucanat--next time I will probably cut back on it a little, just because sucanat is MUCH sweeter.  I will also probably grind it up a little finer in the food processor first.)
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
4  Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

for the dough:
2 1/2 c. (or more) flour  (I ended up using a nearly a whole additional cup of flour to get a dough consistency--2 1/2 cups soft white wheat and 1 cup all purpose)
1 Tbsp sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
6 Tbsp butter, melted


Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray a round baking pan or 8 x 8 glass dish with cooking spray or butter sides and bottom and set aside.  

For the filling, mix the dark brown sugar/sucanat, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.  Set aside. 

In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients and add in buttermilk and melted butter.  Mix until a soft dough is created.  I would start with the 2 1/2 cups flour and add more as necessary--with just the 2 1/2 cups flour, mine was like a pancake batter, so I definitely needed to add additional flour!  Once a soft dough is created, turn dough out onto a floured surface and kneed several times.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let rest for about 30 minutes in the fridge. 

Once dough has chilled/rested, roll out on a floured surface in about a 12x10 rectangle.  Spread melted butter evenly over the dough and sprinkle the filling over the butter.  Roll up dough and seal edges by pinching dough together.  Slice in 2-3 inch slices (I got eight) and place in prepared pan.  Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes.  Remove rolls from oven when tops of rolls are golden.  Cool for about 10 minutes prior to icing.    

For the icing, please click here for Abby's recipe.  I didn't have the ingredients on hand for hers so I went with a twist on The Pioneer Woman's

for the icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 Tbsp hot black coffee
1/4 tsp vanilla

Whisk powdered sugar, coffee, and vanilla together.  Drizzle over warm (not piping hot!) cinnamon rolls and serve immediately. 


Friday, September 16

Giddy Up, Cowgirl!

You all know how the rest of the vacation went.....so here are all the fun details from our Peanut's cowgirl party.

Because I am cheap frugal, I have emailed birthday invites for the last several years.  It's much more inexpensive and I am an RSVP Nazi--I want a response, because it makes planning those last minute details so much easier when you have an accurate head count.  Plus, emailing the invite makes it very easy for your guests to respond.  Some might think it's a little tacky to email an invite, but for now, it's works great for me.

When I was talking to Hubs about taking a picture of Peanut for the invite, he said it might be cool to have some horseshoes as a prop.    

Great idea, Hubs.








































Well, since I didn't have any horseshoes laying around, I called my landlord.  They are like my parents and they seem to have a little bit of everything, so I thought maybe she might have some horseshoes or at the very least know where to get some.

Well, she got me 10 times better.  She had some friends that have a ranch and she was able to provide some perfect old rusty horseshoes.  Then she asked me if  I would be interested in taking the pictures of Peanut in her friend's barn.

Um, yes, please!

The photo op was great, but since I am still a novice photographer (I use the term photographer very loosely) I overexposed most of them and you can only Photoshop a photo so much before it starts to look really bad.  In the photo I ended up using, you can't really tell that she is sitting in a barn, but it was so sweet of our landlord nonetheless.

Peanut would have nothing to do with her cowgirl hat for the invitation photo op and that was still the case during her party.  Not so big on the hat, so this was the extent of her hat wearing.

For about two minutes.  



























Then I thought she might be a little more cooperative taking pictures with Jet.  It was a nice thought, at least.  While I didn't get that priceless picture I had in my head, I still got some cute ones.

Dad?  This reminds me of you camping--in the boat with your brothers at the lake.  This is so you. 




















































I was able to get pictures of all the kids prior to the party and made some great party favors for the kids to take home~WANTED posters for each child.



























I had originally planned (like the thought crossed my mind six months ago) on doing a Minnie party and my Mom is always great in supporting whatever I choose to do.  She said sure okay, but she didn't seem overly excited.  Then a few months ago I suggested a cowgirl theme and that was all the inspiration my Mom needed.  She just ran with it.  She found this old wagon wheel and lots and lots of other fun little treasures to make our Peanut's day special. 

To put it simply:  She helped me rock this party.  






























She and my Dad (as well as the Hubs) are the selfless help in the background that prop me up and make me look like some great hostess (ha!), but in reality there is NO WAY I could pull all this off without their help.



























In keeping with the cowgirl theme, I designed some little fun details in Photoshop to apply to nearly all the stationary things at the party.  If you have a little time and a decent color printer, these things don't have to be costly.  Like I always say, I have way more time than money, so this definitely fits our shoestring budget.

As I mentioned in the other vacation post, it was hot that day, topping out at 94 degrees.  While Hometown isn't super humid like Florida or DC, it was still hot, humid, and sticky.  As is evident in our little Peanut's flushed face.  No, it's not a sunburn; she is just a carbon copy of her mama (and Grandpa) and turns a lovely shade of fuchsia when she is the smallest bit warm.  

After everyone ate, my Mom arranged for some nice horse owners to come out to their house with their two beautiful horses.  They asked for the birthday girl to have the first ride and Peanut would have none of it.  But once she saw the other children riding and having a great time, our girl was ALL over it.  In fact, after she rode the brown horse, she got off and immediately demanded to ride "the black horse."  Once all the other kids had a turn, she had her chance and was saying "Giddy up!" before the horse even left the driveway.



























Peanut then got to open presents and received lots of wonderful goodies, including two new dollies to add to her growing collection



























Everyone was thoroughly hot and sweaty after the horse rides and watching Peanut open gifts, so the cowgirl party quickly transformed to a pool party.   

What a perfect way to cool off.   



























The party was pretty informal after swimming so I forgot to even get out some candles for Peanut's cupcake.  Plus, she was digging in before I could even find my camera.

It was a great, great day.  

What a perfect end to summer, don'tcha think? 



♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


And to give credit where credit is due.....most of those cowgirl details, came from this blogger.  She's crazy talented and a great photographer. 


I always say this....I am not that creative, but I can copy the heck off of someone else's ideas!




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