I can’t help myself. We have a rainy coupla days and I am ready for apple cider and pumpkin pie! And football. And sweaters. And scarves. And seeing my breath in the early mornings. And school. And “bouquets of sharpened pencils…” And mums. And really really really blue skies. And the smell of the air. And leaf collecting.

But she’s right. It’s too soon. So I’m slapping on the sunscreen and heading out to pursue the rest of the summer. I just happened to flip through Martha’s 60 days of summer and got lost for a few minutes. That was helpful in this endeavor…

Okay, this picture is embarrassing. Last week I actually let our fridge get to this point. Absolutely nothing but condiments and a few odds and ends. Funny thing was, I kept putting off my grocery shopping and pulling meals out of nowhere day after day! I utilized my freezer some and we ate egg salad sandwiches and carrot sticks one evening for dinner. (exciting, I know)

Another good thing that came of it: I discovered German Pancakes. Hello. Easiest and quickest breakfast ever. Rebekah had a giveaway and a plea for breakfast ideas a couple weeks ago and lo and behold! As I zipped through the comments, I saw that people kept mentioning German Pancakes or “Dutch Baby.”

Now. Who of you already knew of this and with held the information? Shame on you. I followed the directions of the very first commenter who mentioned it and our breakfast was delish and so easy.

Here’s how she said to do it:

The original recipe (which I usually double for my family of 7 and put it in 2 9×13s instead) is melt 2 tbl. butter in a glass pie dish (in the oven while you are preheating it to 425). In blender, mix 3 eggs, 1 c. milk, 1/2 tsp. of salt, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and 1 scant c. of flour. Pour into pan and bake for 20 minutes. Serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or all three!

If you try this, let me know how you liked it. It just doesn’t get a whole lot easier…

Before the summer ends, I have a few things on my ‘to sew’ list. Coupla projects shown here, definitely this Beach Blanket To Go, perhaps this…you get the idea. (And this skirt may have to wait til fall. I get carried away sometimes.)

This little project, however, was so easy that I was done and sporting my new accessory in no time flat.

Isn’t it cute? (Despite the grainy photos?)My favorite kind of sewing projects are the ones where I get immediate results. I can’t help myself. I’m so impatient. I need to see progress!

…that when the blogging isn’t happening, the living is.

Here are a few things that are keeping us busy in our spare time:

The bathroom. Sheesh. Don’t ask. (but soon and very soon it will be done! I’m sure of it)

The pool. Overcoming fears and cooling off in the shallow end, chilling with friends and eating picnic lunches. That’s pool day. Once a week.

Menu planning. Well, sort of. I’ll explain later in the week. But check out these sweet planners that my friend Shelly drew to my attention. Surely the pure cuteness of those will motivate me to plan our meals better?

Exploring math games. Fun and education together is my thing. We love playing Blink, which I picked up on a recent whirlwind tag-along-with-your-husband-while-he-drives-to-another-town-for-work day. (sorta fun, but in the end, probably not something I’ll do again in the near future.) What can I say? I try to fly by the seat of my pants, but sometimes spontaneity just isn’t the best thing for me.

Planning our school year. (yes, already!) Apologia has won my heart. We’re looking forward to studying zoology for science this year!

Oh, here’s a website I’m still really enjoying: “a site dedicated to anyone out there who just wants to enjoy the home they have been gifted, the family they love and the career they cherish–blemishes and all.  A place where women of all backgrounds and life journeys can share ideas and help support one another in the seemingly mundane endeavors of daily life.  A new way of living, inspiring and exhaling–by fully realizing domestic ease.”

I’ll leave you today with a new recipe that my daughter wrote.

Rice Crispy Treets

Wipt cream

Stroberrys

“You cut them out. Then you put the wipt cream on top and a stroberry.”

Ever think about how you might be able to help the helpless? Hubby’s got a great post going on today about that very thing. Check it out and ponder the subject…

It’s not like Asparagus pizza has never been done before.  And it may or may not be that only one person in our house likes it. However, if it tickles your fancy, here’s what I did: I put some roasted asparagus, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and grilled portabellas on some pizza dough and baked it. And it was yummy.

Here are a couple other places for some inspiration and more detailed instructions.

Rachel Ray’s version

Smitten Kitchen’s Shaved Asparagus Pizza

From Simple Bites (this is where I originally saw it)

See my helper in the background? Sort of like, Where’s Waldo?

I don’t know about you, but our summers are filled with trips to the library. We LOVE library day.

Here’s what’s been filling our bag the past few visits:

Where’s Waldo?, Look and Find books

First Thesaurus , Richard Scarry , and these Alphabet Books

Boxcar Children

Magic Tree House

Henry and Mudge

Anything by Robert McCloskey

Just to name a few. What’s in your library bag?

Is anyone else playing catch-up today? I really don’t have much to write about. I’m too busy with laundry and cleaning. Life goes on, though. Doesn’t it? The grass just keeps on growing. However, here are a few little tidbits:

I’ve done a little reading this past week. These books are quite entertaining and I’m waiting on the final one to get here from Amazon, so I can know what happens! It’s been fun to read something purely for my own enjoyment–it had been a while. (Note: these are for older kids, not littles.) Yet another reason for me to get all my stuff done today, so I’ll be ready to dive right in once it gets here. I hear there might be a movie in the works. I’d pay to see it.

We love listening to this guy on Pandora. We haven’t yet been disappointed. I remember hearing Jump Up on Sesame Street once. We were all hooked and haven’t stopped being delighted since. It’s great for getting chores done, playing games, dancing, just whatever.

Made this a couple weeks ago. Pics to come eventually. It was easy and fun.

New to me site that inspires creativity and love for the home, and the beautification thereof.

For not having much to say, I’ve prattled on long enough. I’ve got work to do.  Happy Tuesday!

Remember the book that we discovered last year at this time?  Well, I stumbled upon another one by the same author at our local Gabriel Brothers for about $3 a couple months ago. My girl has gobbled it up. I really do love the illustrations. They make for fun reading and it seems like we discover something new with each perusal.

If you’re looking for ways to educate the kiddos this year as you celebrate our country’s independence, I just think these books are a really fun resource.

Also, these blueberry/marshmallow,strawberry skewers were a big hit last year with the kids. We took a huge platter full to our celebration and brought home zero. (just the way I like it!) They also just make a really pretty and festive plate.

I hope your Independence weekend is just how you like it–either packed with activity, or slow and steady. Maybe a little bit of both?

I’m finding that as we fill our days with summer activities like sun and water and dirt and sweat there is a definite need for some rest in between. If we “go” for too many days in a row, we all suffer in some way. Whether it’s a grouchy, whiny, teary day to follow, or just a general sluggishness, we’re starting to find a better way to balance it all so everyone’s happy. (mostly)

Yesterday was one of the good ones. After a few days of non-stop playing in the sun and some late nights, we all slept until (gasp) nearly 8 o’clock!  I made french toast and we all did our own thing for a while…read books, played games, caught up on laundry and cleaning, you know the drill. The relatively cool day made for perfect picnicking weather. So we did just that. In our back yard. It was grand, in a not so grand kind of way. Just what we needed.

How do you fill your summer days? Are they packed with activity? Is every night a late night? I’m tempted to party like it’s…well, summer. But this year I’m following the signals from everyone in the family and trying to see that everyone’s needs are met. While that often means leaving the pool early so the baby can get his nap, I’m hearing no complaints.