Saturday Morning Farmer's Market

The past couple of weeks I have headed over to our local farmer's market. I am attached to the farmer's market in my hometown, so I have been in denial about other farmer's markets. But, the one around the corner from me, seemed to have gotten better recently, so I headed over. I must interject that I still love my hometown farmer's market best, and of course Mary Tyler, who always has the best produce! At any farmer's market the atmosphere, the smells, the colors are wonderful! Everything really. The people are so nice, and in the end you come out with some yummy goodies. Today there was a folk singer, and a whole lot more!

5 reasons to hate the doctor

Today I had my annual doctor appointment. Ladies, you know the one. BLAH! Just makes me want to cringe when I even have to schedule it. Anyway I had plenty of time to to determine all the little annoyances with going to the doctor. Why did I have plenty of time, well that brings me to point #1.

1. If your appointment is at 8:30 (and you schedule it that early so you don't have to wait) it is not ok that you don't see a doctor until 9:25.
2. Why do they put you in a room, have you put on a ridiculous "gown", and then once again you wait. Should you even be able to call it a "gown"
3. Did you know the air conditioner is on in those rooms, and it isn't like a "gown" provides much in the way of warmth.
4. Let's say your doctor wants you to have another appointment, and you go to schedule, and she only has appointments until 2:00. Who can make those times? Not me my friend. School starts back in a week, and I can't take off this early in the year.
5. Finally, I am convinced the scales at doctors' offices are not right! In fact, I think they may be rigged.

* On a totally different note, be sure you sign up for my giveaway here !

My first giveaway

Alright, as my summer winds down I am going to try something new to my little blog. I am going to have a go at a giveaway. What is the giveaway? Well, you get to pick, if you win that is. You can choose between a personalized family ornament, or children's artwork. Here is what you need to do to have a chance to win. *You only have to do one thing, but for each thing you do, add a new comment and get another chance to win!

1. Go to Little One Design here on Facebook or here and then come back here and leave a comment on what your favorite piece is.

2. Become a follower of this blog, and then post a comment here, letting me know you are now a follower.

3. Post on your blog about this giveaway. Then come on back here and let me know you did so, as well as leave me your link.

4. Place an order on etsy, between now and August 5th, receive 10% off, then post here that you placed an order.

5. Become a fan of "Little One Design" on facebook, then 1 more time come on back here and leave a post that you are now a facebook fan.

That's 5 ways to win! Good luck! The giveaway will close August 5th, and I will select a winner that night.

Last and final home visit

Today was the last home visit from our worker. I have to admit it was an easy one. Our worker explained that 2 visits were necessary, 3 for some, but that basically we had covered the majority of things in the first visit. Today we just showed her the things we had added to the house (lock box for the meds, car seat, pack n play, etc. And of course we handed over a few extra papers she needed. She said we were pretty boring/normal, which makes it easy. Oh how I have longed for the days that we could be easy! It was nice to sit and chat today. No tough questions! Now we just wait. It will take a couple of months to be approved, and then we will go from there.

Miscellany monday

• Our next and last home visit is Tuesday! Our house is now child proofed, fire extinguish ready, and car seat prepared. Ha! So funny, considering there is no kid here yet. On top of that we both keep forgetting that the cabinet locks are there and end up jerking the cabinet to no avail.
• I have become addicted, I mean seriously addicted to the show Weeds on Showtime. I found the seasons on Showtime On demand after a friend was telling me about it. I just started watching it a couple weeks ago, and I am already on season 5.
• My priest had a really good message at church. It was all about how we need to simply need to ask God. We have no problem asking our friends and family to pray for us, but sometimes we forget to ask who is most important.
• School is 2 weeks away. I am now turning over to teacher mode and am ready to get my plan book filled. My room is ready, but there is still so much to do. I'm even kicking into my nerdy research gear with a new education book.
• I finally went to the farmer's market by my house. It starts out small at the beginning of the year, but it seems to have kicked up a bit. I came our with basil, green beans, and zucchini. I'm headed out to my garden too, so I should have plenty of fresh fruits and veggies this week.
• P90X has kicked my butt, since I've gotten back from vacation. Thanks to Anthony who has been my workout partner. I can't wuss out when he is right there with me.

Weekend recap

We stretched our anniversary into the weekend, and celebrated our style. We usually go to a nice restaurant, but we decided to do things different this year. On Friday, Anthony came home from work early, with my favorite flowers, daisies. We worked out, walked the dog, and stretched out on the couch. That night we went to a low key part of town (totally my style) called Bardstown Rd. We sat out on the patio at a favorite bar/restaurant, and had a yummy dinner and a couple of drinks. After dinner we did Anthony's part of the night. Krispy Kreme donuts.

On Saturday we grilled out, and watched a movie. Today, if the sun comes out the pool is in our plans. Love the simple!

Guess what today is??

It's our 5 year anniversary! The time has flown by, and I can't believe 5 years ago today I married my best friend. Today I want to share 5 pieces of wisdom from this old married woman. Before you know it, it will be 10 years, and I'll probably have way better advice:)

1. Everyone says marriage is a huge adjustment, I think it's only a big adjustment, if you make it that way. It really is a wonderful time.
2. Everyone also says marriage is about compromise. This one is kinda true. Compromise makes life much easier.
3. You really do fall more in love.
4. It is important to have a his, her, and our life- meaning it is important to spend time together, but it's also important to have your own interests and friends.
5. Date nights are super important, even little ones. My fav is Starbucks!

Ho hum

I feel like I am stretching to blog. To have any purpose for writing, which is rare for me. It has been a ho hum couple of days. The days are scorching and it is no fun being outside, which means I have spent the days cleaning, painting, reading, and running errands. I occasionally head to the pool, but even that gets a bit hot. Even a neighborhood walk has to be done before 7:30. I LOVE the summer, the flowers, the pool, my hammock... but I am longing for cooler, less ho hum days.

Wordless Wednesday

My cat likes boxes, and baskets, and anything she can squeeze herself into. This newest particular box from the basement project kept her occupied for a few hours.

On a Tuesday

Yesterday got off to a rocky start, but turned out great. The plan was to start the morning off with my mom, MIL, and Anthony's mammaw. We were going to head down to the L&N building for them to be finger printed, and then out to breakfast. The breakfast was what I was looking forward to, not the L&N building. I'm really not a fan of the L&N building, like AT ALL! But that was all the plan. What really happened was I woke up to a thunderstorm, and according to the weather report it was going to be sticking around for the day. My mom lives an hour away and I didn't want her driving in the downpour, so I told her to stay home. Then I called my MIL and we decided another day would be better. So, I crawled onto the couch to start a rainy day, until I realized that the weather report was wrong and the sun was shining. So, in the end mom came up, we went to the L&N building (which is always an interesting adventure), and then to my fav Jason's Deli, and finally to do a bit of shopping. I can't complain. Here are 3 things I took away from the day.

1. weather forecasters are wrong... a lot

2. I am not a fan of the L&N building

3. lunch and shopping with mom is a good day

Miscellany monday

How can I pass up on a miscellany monday!

• I am very happy we are "putting America to work" by providing them with the opportunity to work on the highways, but does it have to be every highway/road, everywhere I go?

• I am so proud that my classroom is up and ready to go for business. I just want to go and sit to enjoy the quiet, and order that may not last much longer.

• The other night I heard a loud crash (like breaking glass) at 2:30 in the am. I woke up the hubby who crept downstairs with the dog to investigate, while I stayed upstairs with my fingers ready to dial 911. Turns out it was my magnetic board that I just bought for my fridge. Nonetheless I had to turn the tv on for a while to dissolve my fears of someone breaking into my house Oops! I now have new magnets to hold it up better!

• On Friday my hubby and I will be married for 5 amazing years! Life is good. And since he doesn't check out my blog I'll tell you what I'm getting him... sky diving. I think I'm a pretty great wife, just for that gift alone!

• One more home visit to go! We have our 2nd and last home visit on Thursday. Everything has been purchased or borrowed and we are ready to go.

This year's classroom

I am 99.9% finished with my classroom as of yesterday! Each year we have to move/haul all of our stuff into our closets so the classroom floors can be waxed. This year I had to stuff all my stuff into a new closet, in an upstairs classroom, because I'm moving classrooms and grades this year. I tell you all this for no particular reason. Just want you to get the full picture, since I didn't take the before pic of the mounds of school supplies in the closet, to the ceiling... here are the after pictures. I hope the 5th graders like the beach theme.

Do you know the secret?

Can someone please tell me what I have to do to get a view like this? Is there a secret I'm not aware of? I'd love to wake up to this view! I think I would take up residence on that couch.

*On a side not if you are a single lady head over to Kelly's Korner to check out some single men. Today is show us your single men!

My Thursday

Yesterday started off kind of slow, but I have to say I had a great afternoon! I went to the pool around 2:00 and about an hour later a friend and her 2 sweet little ones joined us. Hanna is 2 (3 in August) and Matthew is 17 months. Hanna is an good little swimmer. She tried out her noodle today and was swimming all over the place. And of course she had to jump off the end and you have to catch her. She'd say "far, far, far" and then jump to you. She is such a fearless little girl. I totally enjoyed playing with her. Matthew on the other hand is lovin his momma these days. Mandy went to take Hanna to the bathroom a couple of times and Matthew was not a fan of hanging out with me:) Overall it was a perfect day by the pool with a great friend and her adorable little ones!

How sweet, in her "pinkie tails"!

Wordless Wednesday

Here is the promised pic of the cute new decoration my mom got me for my fridge. You can change out the little magnets based on the season. Love it!

Home Visit Update

We met our social worker today and we really like her. She is very sweet, loves our pets (always a plus for us), and shared some things with us that made me feel super comfortable with her. I feel like she is someone I could be friends with (not sure if that is allowed in this process)... Anyway, everything went well, and we have a list of things to work on before our second (and last) home visit, which we already scheduled for next week. After that we just wait for reports to be written (our social worker has to write a 12 page report on us, I couldn't write a 12 page report on us!), and red tape to be gone through. And hopefully in a couple of months we will be approved! Here is my to do list:

• fire extinguisher
• carbon minoxide detector
• childproof cabinets with cleaning products
• lockbox for medication
• copy of Gracie's vaccinations
• carseat
• crib or pack n play (something for a baby to sleep in) a pack n play (I'm not even sure if that is how you spell that) would be temporary

I have already marked the bottom 2 off the list because we have SO many amazing friends who have offered to help, and let us use their things! 5 friends have offered up their things just tonight. My mom is getting the copy of Gracie's vaccinations too. We LOVE that we have this much support and are so blessed. I really need to tell this social worker that I could have an hour notice and still have everything I need ready to go, with all my friends, family, and of course my slight OCD! A quick trip to Wal-mart will finish my job for now though.

One more step closer

Today our social worker is coming for our first home visit. Say a prayer! We are excited to continue the process of fostering/adoption.

Miscellany monday

OH am I feeling miscellany today! Miscellany with bold letters. Here we go:

• I saw a preview for that show "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant" on TLC. It makes me want to SCREAM! Now being that I have never been pregnant maybe I cannot be so critical, but seriously you didn't know you were pregnant... WHAT! I actually watched one and the girl didn't know she was pregnant and delivered in a campground toilet. Really...

• My shoulder is on FIRE from my last P90X yoga workout. You would think it would hurt from the ab ripper, or the leg workout, but no it was the yoga that did me in. Not that the others haven't, there are days when my muscles ache, but not quite like this!

• I went to a student's baseball game today, I HATE baseball, and it was so stinkin HOT. But do you know what I actually loved it. I got to catch up with his mom, the kids were actually good, and some dad on the other team got rowdy. What more could you ask for?

• My mom bought me the CUTEST memo board for my fridge, I would post it but I'm too lazy to move right now. But trust me you'd love it. It is black with white polka dots, and you can buy seasonal magnets and post pics. Maybe by Wednesday I'll be more motivated and post it for Wordless Wednesday, since my description doesn't do it justice.

• I NEED to venture down to my fav antique store, The Crazy Daisy. I am due for my monthly trip. I love that place! Plus I'm feeling the need to refinish something.

• I visited my BFF last week and we went outlet shopping. I think I have a bit of a candle obsession. Bath and Body Works has some of my favorite candles and they were 75% off (like 3-5 dollars for a big candle). I couldn't resist. I loaded up and almost went back in again before we left... Ash had to drag me the other way. I may need HELP. By the way, does anyone else base their candle selection on the season.. in my house coconut or fresh cotton is summer/spring and creme brulee pumpkin is winter/fall.

My Daily Blessings

Our Bible study was taking about all the little things we have to be grateful for each day. There are so many, that often I forget. So I want to take note on here of just some of the blessings I've had in my life today:

• waking up in a cozy bed with my hubby
• Phoebe snuggling up next to me
• the pool
• yummy lunch
• my exit wasn't blocked by construction
• student's baseball game on a beautiful day
• Grace napping with me
• putting my feet up on the couch
• the fresh cut smell of grass
• warm bath
• bright pink nail polish
• so much more... it is hard to keep up

Give this a try, even when life so seems crappy there are still so many blessings.

Flag Fork

On Thursday I went to Lexington, and my mom and I visited my fav lunch spot! The Garden Cafe at Flag Fork Herb Farm. Flag Fork is located in in the Thomas January Cottage built circa 1800. It's a cute little stone cottage essentially with beautiful gardens and yummy food... especially the desserts! Their food is not only tasty, but pretty too. See...

This time I had the quiche of the day (spinach and feta), fresh veggies, and of course a dessert. Mom and I split our usual chocolate chip carrot cake. AMAZING! If you live in Lex or visit you have to try Flag Fork. You won't regret it!

Yummy New Recipe

On Monday I mentioned I was going to try a couple new recipes (one thing I love about the summer is having time to try new recipes) and some of y'all mentioned you would want me to share them. I have to say the one I'm sharing today takes a bit of time upfront, but the jerk rub can last awhile. And of course I adapted the recipe a bit, because I hate to follow directions, so I'm giving you my adapted version.

Jamaican Jerk Rub

1/3 cup chives

1 tablespoon sea salt

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon onion flakes

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon ginger

1 tablespoon thyme

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons coriander

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cloves

* Combine and mix all these ingredients together. Store in airtight container.

* Alright y'all I know this is a large amount of spices, but I just made a big trip to Walmart (ugh I loathe Walmart) and it was pretty cheap, plus the recipe calls for all dried ingredients but I have some fresh in my herb garden so I used those (why use dried when you can use fresh)

Now the reason you just did all of that is to make this (or you could just use the rub, whatever floats your boat)

Jamaican Jerk Raspberry Chicken

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 medium Vidalia onion (diced)

1/4ish jar raspberry preserves

1 1/2 teaspoons Jamaican Jerk rub

1 tablespoon EVO

2 tablespoons red wine

1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Melt butter in skillet. Add onion and saute until tender. Stir in preserves, rub, and oil. Cook stirring often until preserves are melted. Stir in wine and vinegar. bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Add lemon juice.

*Now it says to use this as a marinade for the chicken on the grill, but I just added the chicken to the mixture on the stovetop and cooked it there.
*I also hate red wine, don't have any and didn't want to be wasteful, so I just used a blush.

Like I said it takes a bit of time up front but all the rub is all ready to go, and the next time it will go much faster. I was thinking you could also do this in the oven. I love playing around with recipes and making them my own. Enjoy!

show us your favorite Bible verse

Today on Kelly's Korner is show us your favorite Bible verse. So, if I had to pick just one here it is.

• but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans5:3-5

Wordless Wednesday

These are the things I am currently craving (in picture form).. I love summer but fall is always a good time!

DONE!

I have gone back and forth about posting this. Not that I don't want y'all to know everything, but there are some things I like to keep to myself. I'm sure you understand that. If you've been reading for awhile you know we are hoping to adopt through the state foster program. What I haven't shared a lot of is all the craziness that has us to this point. Today is an exciting day for me. For just over 2 years we have tried fertility treatments, and all the emotional, physical, and mental issues that go along with it. We just completed the last procedure about a month ago. No, it wasn't successful - I'm not at the exciting part yet. The exciting part is we are finished with all the treatments. I know you are thinking I'm weird to be excited this, but stick with me. Today I threw out all the left over medications, and the sharps disposable container. It felt so freeing. It was the last strings that were attaching me to all the craziness. We have been trapped down to all these treatments for too long. It is easy to have it take over your life. I'm just so over it! I want my life back, and even though that means the chance I will actually get pregnant now is very small I am completely ok with that (plus I totally believe in miracles). I tease my friends that I'll have a kid no matter what, just without the stretch marks!

Miscellany monday

1. I am so sleepy! Like uber sleepy. I think my lazy summer lifestyle is starting to get to me, and I dread when that alarm goes off at 5:30 when school starts back.

2. My parents came up for church and breakfast on Sunday, and brought yummy farmer's market green beans and corn on the cob. I can't wait to enjoy the goodness!

3. I have been to 2 huge firework shows in the past 3 days. Not bad for someone who doesn't care one way or another about fireworks. Nonetheless from this I learned that kids don't need the tv to be entertained, just a firework show.

4. I finally figured out shipping for my growth charts. I refused to pay $15 for a box and $19 shipping, so I made my own box. Ha UPS and the post office! Who pays $15 for cardboard- I just can't do it. It is the cheapskate in me.

5. I bought a recipe book when I was in Savannah- I made cowboy cookies and am so ready to try a few more! I'm thinking Jamaican Raspberry Jerk Chicken for tomorrow night. I love that I have the time to cook a meal in the summer and not rush. During the school year the crock pot is my best friend.

6. I am looking for some new, great websites for teaching 5th grade next year. I have been so used to science content for 4 years I need to get back in the swing of 5th grade social studies content (American History- beginning with the explorers and ending with current time- yeah that is an insane amount of history to cram into 1 school year).

update: why is it that my hubby can talk to anyone and everyone for what seems like forever. Unbelievable! Me on the other hand, I hate it!

Show us your etsy site

Super excited for today's Show Us Your Life at Kelly's Korner! Today is show us your etsy site, and since I have been working really hard on mine, after taking the plunge into the etsy world recently I am over the moon to share it with you. I make growth charts and children's artwork. Check it out here or on Facebook at Little One Design. I love the chance to have a creative outlet, and I'm learning the business side.