Going, Going...Not Gone Yet!

I'm one of those people with the awful disease of thinking you have more time than you do.  Like, when I'm going out of town, not only do I have to pack, but I also have to clean the house, get all the laundry done, etc. etc.  Or, when I have an extra 15 minutes, I think that I'll have plenty of time to go to the grocery store really quick just to grab a couple things before picking up the kids...sometimes that works, sometimes, not so much.

We have a month left, folks.  Well, I do at least.  Until school begins again and my "baby" starts Kindergarten.  

It always astounds me how fast the summer flies by.  There are definitely things that I've wanted to do that haven't happened.  And other things that I wanted to finish that are still in progress.

But, about now, I always start to think, "Ok, priority time!!  What are the things I want to do most before the summer ends?"

Here's my short list...

make {and eat} blackberry cobbler

go rock hopping

fly a kite with my kids

fall asleep reading in a hammock

go hiking

watch a sunset with my hubby

What's on your summer punch list?  Because my other sickness is making checklist and checking things off, I might actually print my list off.  I might be a little more prone to make these things happen!  Whether your list would be staying home every day, or hiking the Appalachian Trail, let's make these last few summer days ones we love.

Color, Color, Who's Got the Color?

Maybe it's just because it's summer and these colors are so fun, but this is my favorite color combo right now for weddings.  It's so fun and spunky, but also modern and sophisticated. I think I'm in love...

Whenever I say or hear the phrase, "What are your colors?" I totally think of Steel Magnolias, where they're all in the beauty parlor, and they ask Shelby what her wedding colors are, and she says... (come on now, say it with me if you know it)

"My colors are blush and bashful."

And Weeza says...

"Your colors are PINK and PINK!"

Oh, I love that movie.  Ok, so what about you...

What were your colors? If you had to do it all over again, what colors would you choose?

I'm sure I'll change my mind in another month, but for now...I think I'll go put on my coral earrings and a turquoise dress.

Another Favorite Summertime Meal!

This is our fourth "Toast to Summer" post.

Come enjoy a delicious quick and easy recipe to take with you today!

There are certain things that just go with each season. When I think of summer, I think of lemonade and grilling out, and BBQ chicken, potato salad, picnics and tomato sandwiches (that's a Southern thing). Well, I can't very well stop my Toast to Summer series without leaving you my favorite quick and delicious BBQ Chicken recipe. My kids and I love this one, and, it only takes about 15 minutes to assemble. I usually pair this recipe with baked (or sweet) potatoes and salad.

barbecue apricot chicken

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic (or 2 tsp. minced garlic)

1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes

1/3 cup apricot jam or preserves

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 1/2 teaspoons salt (kosher if available)

3/4 teaspoon pepper

4-6 favorite pieces of chicken

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over Medium High heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min. Stir in the tomatoes, jam, vinegar, 1 1/2 tsp. of salt, and 1/2 tsp. of pepper. Simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange the pieces in a baking dish and season with remaining salt and pepper. Pour the bbq sauce over the chicken. Roast, spooning the sauce over the chicken once, until the chicken is cooked through, about 1 hr.

And in case you spill some, no worries...Doug has a great way to get BBQ stains out on his Tuesday's Tip from last week over at Tower Cleaning Services. Linking up this week to Tasty Tuesday's over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. There are tons of great recipes there!

*picture and recipe credits to Real Simple.

Cajun Shrimp over Lemon Linguini!

This is our second "Toast to Summer" post.

Come enjoy a delicious quick and easy recipe to take with you today!

I have this cute little book called "The Summer Book". Whether or not I make anything from it the entire summer, I still have to get it out every summer, just because it makes me so happy. I love being able to flip through and see the cute quotes, recipes, and tips. But, this one, I thought was great!

The quote above it says,

"Here's one way to show your husband you love him - cook him up a plate of Cajun Shrimp!"

I thought it was fitting, especially since my husband doesn't eat meat. I've recently learned that he's a "Pescatarian", which is kind of a funny word.

Tonight to be funny, when I was making dinner, he said, "No meat, please." I laughed, and said something like, "Thanks for the heads up." He loves shrimp, though. So, I think I'll follow the instructions, and cook him up a plate of Cajun Shrimp!

Cajun Shrimp

Ingredients:

1/2 c. olive oil

1 clove garlic, whole

2 tbsp. Cajun seasoning

2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tbsp. minced parsley

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tbsp. soy sauce

16 extra large shrimp

Combine first 7 ingredients in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Shell and devein the shrimp, pat dry, and toss in marinade to coat. Refrigerate 1-12 hrs. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Remove garlic clove. Bake for 7-10 min, stirring occasionally. Be sure not to overcook. You can also grill them on skewers. Delicious served with Lemon Linguini...

Yes, I'll give you that one, too.

Lemon Linguini

1 lb. linguini

1/2 c. olive oil

zest from 1 lemon

juice from 2 lemons

1/2 c. chopped green onion

1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley

salt and ground pepper

lots of Parmesan cheese

Cook linguini in boiling salted water till done; drain well. Combine next 5 ingredients in a large serving bowl. Add pasta and toss well. Sprinkle over salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss in Parmesan to taste.

Check out last week's recipe...Easy Key Lime Pie...for a great dessert to add onto this meal!

Linking up to Tasty Tuesday this week.

Shining Faces and Hugging in the Doorways

It's mid July. Just in case you didn't know...because it's catching me pretty off guard right now. There haven't been very many still moments for me yet this summer. It's been fun and very full, but we haven't really felt our summer "break". I'm eagerly anticipating our first week of "vacation" coming up soon. More than that, we're about to have the first relatives coming to visit.

One of my favorite books to read to the kids in the summer is "The Relatives Came" by Cynthia Rylant. This year, it's especially meaningful. Even though, until today, I haven't even let myself go there.

When you know you really miss someone, it's not like you enjoy sitting around thinking about how much you miss them. At least, I don't. Now, I am the girl who has a difficult time grieving, but still. My sweet boy, though? He's cried. He's begged. To go have a playdate with his big brother cousins. To see their house. To go there. And it's hard to explain why you can't just go 15 hours away at the drop of a hat. And one time since December is a long time. So, all this to say, we're celebrating this week. They're coming...and all piling into our house...

Those relatives! They're coming!

The Best Summer

I found a super cute article about all the things I love about the summer. Not only that...but it gives advice on how to do them the best way. Here's just a peek at some of my favs.

best way to catch fireflies

best way to wear a sarong

best way to stargaze

best way to get in and out of the hammock

(that made me chuckle, as many times as i've fallen out!)

best way to snag a fly ball

best way to make cut offs

(is this a summer tradition for you? just askin')

best way to entertain party guests

best way to pack a beach bag

I absolutely love summertime. Now, I could do without the humidity, as could my hair! Incorporating any of these things into this season, would make your summer even more enjoyable.

Go enjoy your summer...maybe the best ever!

pictures credit realsimple.com

The Rest of the Story

This past week I gave a presentation explaining more about my business, Events by Design. I used this Tobacco Barn Wedding as an example of how I love to pull together an event or wedding. I know I've already told you a little about this wedding, but now that I have the profess pics I wanted to tell you the rest of the story.

Once upon a time, on a hot summer day in North Carolina, there lived a couple who had a beautiful wedding...

When I first met this couple, the words I heard them repeat about how they wanted their wedding to feel were "simple... casual... country... fun." I thought to myself, "rustic beauty".

We started with the backdrop of this

beautiful tobacco barn at the lovely Yancey House.

We added this gorgeous stained glass window from the mother of

the bride's collection to make a more chapel like appearance.

Then, we tied mason jars with raffia, and filled them with the

most gorgeous country flowers you've ever seen...

...and used burlap table runners to stay close to the natural feel.

This antique Coke cooler used to be in the bride's Grandaddy's country store!

We filled it with little cokes to serve as their signature drink.

Don't ya just love it?!?

We had an activity table for the kids...planting their own seeds!

Tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, from local farms

Of course, we had to do these wildflower seed packets as favors...

And, remember when I asked you to take a guess at what this was used for?

This old wood stove became our favor table!

We even stuck the extra favors inside the stove

and pulled them out as necessary. A perfect hiding spot.

It all turned out to be an absolutely beautiful time...and so much fun!

And, yes, they are living happily ever after.

Oh, and if you look really close in that last picture, you'll see me, in my "studio". I'm the one standing in the back left corner, and smiling as big as the sun. The first dance is always one of my favorite parts of the wedding.

(Photography is thanks to the fabulous Stephanie Brown of Stephanie's Creative Photography.)

Linking up to Sneak Peek Fridays, with all those wonderful artists!

The Longest Breath

I've been taking a long, deep breath over the last couple days. After finishing up a wedding this past weekend, and reconnecting with my two little ones and my hubby, I finally feel like I can sit down again. Taking a break sometimes is exactly what we need. But sometimes, it gives me the chance (a.k.a. forces me to confront) to think about what I am about to be entering into.

This summer has been so fabulous. And, I am so sad that it is coming to an end. I really, really, love our summer mornings. Pjs and coffee til 10, cartoons and playing together. Real playing together...for more than 5 minutes in between being here and there and getting homework done. My little ones have become best of friends, and have bonded more in these past months than ever before. We have spent many hours with our nephews, who will not be in the same town for much longer. I have enjoyed seeing my husband more, and have watched as he has taken hold of a new journey he will be entering into in about a week. There has been much celebrating, with lots of weddings and events, and the joy that I have had to play a part in that, has been wonderful. To stop all of this celebration is quite hard, especially when I think of all that is about to begin.

My husband is about to begin graduate school, my little girl is starting first grade, my sister is getting married and moving, my son will start soccer for the first time, and we will begin to keep the precious girls I nanny for again in just a few days. The busy early mornings will be here again, and the hustle and bustle of life will be among us. There is still excitement in all that is about to begin...it's just not as still as it has been.

So, now, as I stare into the face of the Fall, I look for celebration. I search to find the good in what we have had, and look with joy to what we will have. As much apprehension as there is, there is more hope. And along with change, there is always beauty. So, I take a deep breath, and anticipate all that is waiting for us in the next season. I can't wait to see the colors of the Fall.

From the Field

I adore flowers. In fact, if I had to say one thing that makes an event, or home for that matter, more lovely, it would be flowers. They give such personality and splendor to any setting.

My favorite kinds of arrangements are the ones that come straight from the field. They don't always look neatly trimmed and polished, and yet they have such a pure beauty about them.

As my favorite flower season is coming to a close, I have to remember that they will return. And in the meantime, I get to look forward to all those autumn beauties! What's your favorite flower? Or a more interesting question, If you were a flower, what would your name be?

Recap from Beach Week

It's been almost a week since we got back from vacation, but I feel like I'm just now getting caught up! With a wedding in two weeks, I've had my hands full this week with getting ready. But here's a glance into our fun last week.

Hubs and I on the ferry ride to Fort Fisher

These guys get to have all the fun

The lot of us after a full day at the Aquarium (they were only smiling because I bribed them with gummy bears...but hey, it worked!)

Ice Cream in Southport (with banjo music!)

All the cousins having ice cream at the best ice cream place ever!

And yes, we did more than eat ice cream. Not much more. But more.

My favorite part of the week was seeing my little girl finally fall in love with the ocean. She's never enjoyed being in the waves much before (unless she was being held). But this week, she was out in the water, jumping waves, boogie boarding, and loving every minute of it. It was so great to see her take to another one of my loves.

Sipping Summertime: Friday Finds

Sometimes I'll be with my mother-in-law, and she'll say, "That just tastes like summer!" Sipping delicious cold drinks is one of my favorite parts of the summer. However, I DO NOT like always having to pay a lot for them. Lately, I've been enjoying some natural sparkling lemonade (that's my fancy day drink I get cheap at Aldi), but at other times, I love using frozen fruit to blend into a delicious milkshake or smoothie. You're sure to get a lot of "YAY!!!!"s when you say, "You guys want to make a smoothie?" Here are some great places to start...

Kid Friendly Sippers

Healthy & Delicious...Imagine That!

Frozen Drinks Galore!

and try

Top 10 Frozen Drinks

Summer Sips!

Ok, so here's a hint. You don't always have to follow the recipe to a tee. Some of you are saying, "WHAT?", and others are saying, "AMEN!" A lot of times, I just throw some frozen strawberries, pour some milk, and plop some vanilla ice cream in the blender, and, VOILA! You have yourself a homemade strawberry milkshake that can give anywhere a run for it's money! Here are some easy as pie (or water) recipes:

Cucumber Mint Water

My personal favorite for the most refreshing water ever...

Easy as it sounds. Slice up some cucumber, and lemons (or limes), and pick some fresh mint. Pour water over and serve. Soooo refreshing! I served this at the grand opening a few weeks ago, and everyone kept asking what was in the water that was so good! No secrets, just natural refreshment.

Fruit Infused Water

(Ok, this one kind of ties for 1st place for favorite water.)

My sweet friend Katie introduced me to this one! In her words:

"It is SUPER DUPER easy and delicious. I take fruit-- whatever I have on hand .... and freeze it. Sliced lemons, limes, oranges, along with whole blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are delicious. Just pick a few of those-- you don't need everything. Then you just put it in a pretty container with ice and water and you're all set.

It doesn't really have to sit too long. The freezing process "opens up" the fruit so that as it thaws it releases all kinds of deliciousness. The water doesn't last long after the event. When your party is over, you may want to take out the citrus fruits, as the longer they're in there, the more like orange rind everything starts to taste. You can also use sparkling water for a special touch-- it makes it bubbly and yummy."

So, go eat, DRINK, and be merry! Speaking of "merry" I'm really not into thinking about Christmas at all yet, but I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't have the Christmas in July fever. Am I alone in my love of the summertime!?!?

Oh, and one more thing. The kids really love it when you make their drink feel like a special little celebration. My kids and I always clink our cups and say, "Cheers!" after we've made ourselves a yummy drink. It's only like the cutest thing ever. So, in honor of them, "CHEERS!"

Friday Finds: Summer DIY Projects

Finding your days a little slower? I know my soon to be first grader is already asking for projects!! Here is a list of some fun summer projects that you can do (with or without kids) to celebrate the season!!

I'm all about some flip flops, so this idea totally flipped my lid!

Begin a fun tradition of making lots of yummy pies! I love when my friend did this a few years back, and I've enjoyed making pies a lot more since then. I made my first peach pie of the summer just yesterday, and we all were rejoicing about that!

Have some fun with your recyclables! Use your egg cartons to make cute little beach creatures, while you gear up for that annual trip to the shore!

These pretty pencil pinwheels are the cutest party decoration...and fun to make together! They could also double as a party favor! I kind of want to have a party just to have an excuse to make them.

Because I just love weddings...and lemon heads...and style me pretty.

Do you have any summer projects on the horizon? I'd love to hear your ideas!!