We're Thankful...

...for fans, right about now. Whoa, is it HOT!

A Twist On An Old Favorite

Our evenings have been so magnificent this summer. Most nights, we're found playing a game out on the patio and then staying out late watching for bats and finally star gazing. One of our favorite patio accessory is our fire pit. There is just something about sitting around a fire that makes summer evenings even more fantastic! Everytime we have a fire in the pit, the girls want to roast marshmallows which then leads to wanting s'mores.

The other day I decided to try something different from the same old, same old - graham crackers and Hershey chocolate bars. To change things up a bit, I bought Pepperidge Farm Geneva cookies since one side is covered in dark chocolate and also have an added bonus - pecans. I thought these cookies would make a great twist on the classic.

Geneva cookie s'mores did not disappoint. Definitely not as economical as regular s'mores but oh were they wonderful and such an extraordinary treat!

Refreshing "Tup Pops"

Remember these?

My mom used to make "tup pops" for my brothers and I when we were little in the 60's and 70's. If you've never seen the containers, they were made by Tupperware. I'm not sure if Tupperware makes them anymore...

My girls are loving their homemade strawberry lemonade popsicles - they're so refreshing on hot summer days!

Busy Little Stinker

I'd like you all to meet who's responsible for ruining my rose bushes - it's good thing he's so cute! Bun Rab is growing so fast, thanks to all the leaves he's eating off my roses! My plants are looking so sad... Regardless, we've been having fun watching for Bun Rab visits. He's come out to dine near us a few times while we've been dining al fresco - we're loving the entertainment.

Huckleberry Muffins

Yesterday, the girls and I picked enough "hunkle berries" (as Daphne would say) to bake something. We were trying to get enough to make a tart - but we'd still be out there picking... If you've ever picked wild huckleberries, you'll know what I mean, it really takes awhile to get any accumulated. We decided to make muffins (thanks for the suggestion Vicki!) instead since we ended up picking only one cup of berries.

My Huckleberry Muffins

1/4 Cup butter

3/4 Cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/4 Cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 Cup sour cream

1 tsp vanilla

1 Cup huckleberries

(blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries would work as well too)

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time - beating well. Add vanilla. Alternate flour, soda, and salt with sour cream into butter mixture. Fold in berries.

Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes approximately 16 muffins

Since I have eager pickers and have been asked to make more muffins, I better get busy...

Retro Cupcakes

I've had this totally cute cupcake fabric laying around for far too long, so last weekend, I made Sydney a dress.

Another fun way to upcycle old jeans.

2604 Yo Yos

The other day, my mom and I did a little thrift and antique shopping in the town of Freeland, here on Whidbey Island. One of my favorite antique mall - The Red Rooster in Freeland is a must visit, each time we're on the island.
I don't think I've told you how much I love yo yo quilts and how I've wanted one for a super long time... a really super long time... Well, I finally got one. Yippee! Whoohoo! While we were shopping my favorite antique mall on Thursday, I found it. Oh, and the best part - my mom bought it for me for my birthday, which is in August. Yay!

There are 2,604 yo yos hand sewn together to make this coverlet. So many awesome old feedsacks were used for the fabric. I particularly love the small size of the yo yos - they're about 1" in diameter. Think of the time that went into creating this quilt - whoa!
Can't wait to display it in our "couch room" - first I gotta get hubby to make me some type of hanging quilt rack... Ahem...oh, Honey!!!!