Weekend Plans...And A Winner!

The weekend already...wow. Just wow. The weather this week has felt more like autumn. I am counting the weeks until I can unpack my warm, cozy autumn decorations! Three. I hold off until the day after Labor Day. : ) In the meantime, summer fun we will have! Friday evening Rhett works at the theater and the rest of us will be home relaxing and visiting. My mother has been staying here as she has been having some health issues causing her a great deal of pain in her arms and legs. She has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis and will be seeing a surgeon next week about possible surgery. Prayers for her would be greatly appreciated .

Saturday morning I am taking my mom to get our hair done. I need to get my hair colored and am taking her along for some much needed tlc! After that, we will prepare for late afternoon Mass, followed by some dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. Flynn has requested her "favorite order lo mien."

Sunday is a free day. I am planning a late morning brunch of homemade blueberry waffles, sausage, and fresh fruit. We will probably spend some time outside and cook some burgers on the grill for a late supper. I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend, and hope yours is as well...whatever your plans may be. As always, thanks for stopping by!

Peyton has been doing some summer baking with our zucchini and fresh blueberries. We love to bake and surprise friends with fresh- from -the -oven treats!

Before Mass last weekend where someone was pleading for a friend to join us...

and how could I say no? I am happy to report that Teddy was very well behaved too!

My evening tea with some yummy Blueberry Tea Cake!

Still trying to perfect the art of the "selfie". Those teenagers make it look so simple!

And in case you missed it...like I did...this little old blog turned one recently. I had a little birthday give away. And as promised we picked a winner in the most scientific way possible. We drew a name out of a bowl.

And the winner is...

Sarah from With a Hopeful Heart!

Congratulations! And Thanks to all of you for sharing my 1st Bloggy Birthday!

Sarah...be looking in your mailbox! : )

My baby all ready for the Feast of the Assumption Vigil Mass... She wanted to stand near "Her Mary".

Feast Of The Assumption

The Feast of the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated this year on Thursday, August 15. This is my very favorite of all feast days. I have a special relationship with Our Lady, and always feel very close to her on this day. I remember sitting in Mass one time many years ago, and our priest suggested if we had any special intentions for Mary, we should bring them to her on her feast day. Every year I do just that. I make a short list of intentions and bring them to Our Lady. I try to take them from my heart and place them at her feet. I also offer prayers of thanks to her for the many blessings I have in my life.

Here is my special prayer spot. It is in a corner of my bedroom.

Here is my prayer table...see that prayer book? My parents received it as a wedding gift over 56 years ago. When I was in college, my mom had it rebound for me, because I had worn it right out!

This is a little prayer I cut out of our church bulletin some years ago.

Happy Feast Of The Assumption, friends!

Happy (Belated) First Birthday...Blog!

Ok well...here is one for you! Awhile back, I checked my blog posts to see when this little old blog would be turning one. So I went to my post list. And I looked at the date of my very first post. August 31. Ok, great...Fast forward until today. I decided to take some time and write a draft so when that date rolled around, I would be all set. I went back again to double check the date...and it looks like this...8/3/12. Do you see it? Does that say August 3rd!!!! Yep...that would be me...unable to see/read a date correctly and thus missing the first birthday of my own blog! Sigh...this getting old stuff is for the birds I tell you...

Anyway...I will now continue with the sweet birthday post I have stored inside my head. First, I can't believe it has been a year. And secondly, I am so glad I jumped in and started this journey into the wonderful world of Blogger. It was not really planned. I loved to read blogs, but never thought about starting one. My kids suggested I try...and before I knew it, I was hitting "Publish" and Afternoon Coffee & Evening Tea was born. I am so very grateful to all of you for welcoming me with open arms...for helping me with every little question...for even bothering to visit my little space in the first place. I cannot thank you enough for your friendship.  I have learned so much about so many things here. I felt welcome from the very beginning. And I just want you all to know how very grateful I am. I am just a mom, living her simple life with a family she loves...but am oh so blessed to have such wonderful friends to share it with.

And so...because this is a birthday...ok, a belated one...We need to celebrate. We need to celebrate YOU...my Blogger friends. I have a special gift for one of you. Wanna see? Ok...

Happy Birthday!

I love this sweet little gift set...Here is what is inside...

Yummy smelling body wash and yummy tasting lip gloss from Philosophy

If you would like to receive this little birthday gift in your mailbox, just leave a comment and my assistants, aka my kids, will hold a very scientific and professional drawing. Ok...actually they will print your name on a piece of paper and put them all in a bowl and pick one out. We will choose a random winner on Wednesday, August 14, and I will post the winner's name on my weekend post the next day. So there you have it...my humble attempt at a birthday post for my blog. Again...thanks so much for visiting. I am so glad you did! 

Weekend Plans

August is in full swing here. And if you know me, you know that I am beginning to get that autumn itch. I am starting to be ok with the earlier evenings and the slight touch of cooler air. And of course, I am pulling out my pumpkin and apple recipes, checking the pantry for supplies, and counting the days until I smell the familiar scent of fall in my kitchen. Until then, I remind myself of the still present beauty that is summer...and try to live in the moment by rocking on my front porch, admiring the beautiful green all around. Soon, before my very eyes, that green will gradually fade as the vibrant hues of autumn return once more.

This weekend is a quiet one. As in ...we have no plans. And that makes me happy. Friday night Rhett is working at the theatre. The rest of us will most likely spend a quiet evening at home. I have been cooking up all my "feels like summer" meals lately. I think I will have Steve do some barbecue chicken on the grill and get some good local sweet corn to go with it. I think Peyton, Flynn and I may add a touch of autumn by trying a new pumpkin cookie recipe too. Rest assured, I will share it with you if we like it!

Saturday is a quiet day. As much as my kids would like to get some swimming in, the weather forecast seems to have a different idea. I think we may tackle some closets and drawers instead. Believe it or not, my kids actually look forward to that end-of-summer task. We sort through summer jammies, socks, tees and such. We toss what can't be saved and fold and donate what we can. Then we fold everything, put it back and take note of what we need to purchase for the fall. Ahhhh happiness! We have Mass in the late afternoon, followed by dinner at home. I am planning a simple dinner of hot dogs on the grill, French fries, and fresh fruit.

Sunday is sleep in day for my kids. I think a late breakfast of pancakes with fresh blueberries may pull them out of bed! Sunday is open. Depending on Madison's work schedule, we may take a drive over to see my dad. Sunday night we will probably make a quick pizza and sit on the porch in preparation for a brand new week. And that is all we have planned this summer weekend. I hope yours is warm and bright and cozy, whatever your plans may be. As always, I am so happy you stopped by!

My little lady playing for a few minutes last weekend before we left to do some grocery shopping.

Even though she has lots of room to roam...

She never wanders too far away from...

her Peyton!

Loving all the zucchini! Dinner this week...Zucchini Lasagna. Happy Me!

Just some summer evening ball with my number one batter...

and an ace pitcher as well!

Just a reminder...Saturday is National S'mores Day! For real.

Another Cupcake Day this week...

The beautiful summer evening sky...

looks like someone else thought so too! : )

A Favorite Summertime Meal

This is one of our very favorite meals every summer. It is not fancy. At all. But boy is it good. It is a simple steak, creamed lettuce over fried potatoes, and sweet corn. Every fall we buy half a cow and surprisingly, the last things we use are the steaks. I guess we are more of a hamburger on the grill kind of family. But anyway...the creamed lettuce is a delicious recipe Steve's mom always made this during the summer. I remember standing in her kitchen back while I was dating Steve watching her mix it up. I can't duplicate it yet, but Steve sure can!

If you want to try it...it is real easy. We use garden lettuce. Then mix up mayo or Miracle Whip. I even use Miracle Whip Light. No real measurements, just dump some in a bowl. Add some regular vinegar...less than the mayo...enough to thin it out to make it pourable, but not watery! Chop up some green onions and toss well. Then put this in the refrigerator while you boil some small red potatoes. Boil them till almost done, then cut them in half and fry until crispy. Put the potatoes on your plate and top with the creamed lettuce. That's it! It is soooo good!

Add some locally grown sweet corn and you have an awesome summertime meal. Oh and it wouldn't be complete without an awesome slice of blueberry pie, right? Thanks to my Bloggy friend Patty, I now have this Creamy Blueberry Pie. You must try it! So there you have it...one of our favorite summertime meals. I would love to hear about yours!

What's Inside My August Folder

My August folder needed some major revamping this year. When I pulled it out, I realized most of it related to Back to School. Things are different this year, so changes were made! Happily! : ) Here is my August folder...

And here is what's inside...

The first thing inside is the August poem. It is one of my very favorites.

August

by

Elizabeth Maua Taylor

August rushes by like desert rainfall,
A flood of frenzied upheaval,
Expected,
But still catching me unprepared.
Like a match flame
Bursting on the scene,
Heat and haze of crimson sunsets.
Like a dream
Of moon and dark barely recalled,
A moment,
Shadows caught in a blink.
Like a quick kiss;
One wishes for more
But it suddenly turns to leave,
Dragging summer away.

The next thing inside is my (new) list of things to do this month.

August

1. Organize closets and drawers.
2. Begin Religion Planning.
3. Begin Autumn Craft Planning
4. Steve birthday shopping
5. Begin lunch planning
6. Order new socks, underwear etc.
7. "Back To School" Lunch

I also have last year's Back To School note. Even though I don't need it, I am still keeping it. Memories! : )

One thing we will still do...our special Back To School Lunch. Every year we take the kids to a cute little café for a special lunch. We have done this for years, and we all look forward to it.

Well...that's it. I hope your planning is in full swing as well. Happy August! Happy Planning!



Weekend Plans

Well...the first weekend of August has arrived. And around here, that means two things for certain...we have plenty of sweet friends and neighbors who leave fresh garden veggies on our doorstep, and county fairs are in full swing. And those things make me happy.

Friday evening Steve is taking the older kids to a large county fair nearby. Madison and a few friends are going to see a country singer in concert there, while Steve, Peyton, and Rhett explore the rides and more importantly, the food! While they are gone, Flynn and I are planning on taking my mom over to visit with my dad and perhaps take him out for an ice cream cone too.

Saturday is a free day. I really don't have anything planned before Mass, so I guess I will plan on sitting on my porch with a cup of coffee. : )  We are attending late Mass this week as Rhett is serving, so I am planning a simple meal before...most likely something with zucchini, what else? Saturday night, Peyton wants to have a marathon of our new favorite TV show. Wait for it...The Walking Dead. Apparently we have been living under a rock, and have not realized that this show existed. What can I say...Peyton has a thing for zombies.

Sunday we have plans. Not my favorite...but I can't spend every summer at home with my sweet family, right? Anyway, we are going to Steve's family reunion. I am praying for nice weather as my kids are hoping to swim. : ) And that is what we have planned for this August weekend. I hope yours is happy and pleasant and yummy, whatever your plans may be. Thanks for visiting!

Just checking...

and...yep. It's all gone. : (

Just taking the puppy for a summer evening ride. Because that is the thing to do, right?

My pretty Peyton...already a teenager!

And when your husband brings you these beauties...

you have to bake this amazing pie from my bloggy friend Patty. Because that is the law. For real.

And I'll leave you with this...a mom selfie!

Happy Weekend friends!

Meeting Them Where They Are

Mothering is a vocation filled with constant learning, one of which I have been blessed to belong to for over sixteen years. I am by no means an expert, nor do I claim to be, but through the years I have learned something very important about the balance between consistency and individuality.

It first occurred to me one day when I saw that once again my sweet Peyton had straightened the entire downstairs. Peyton is my little nanny/personal assistant/ housekeeper. She folds laundry, sets the table, takes care of Flynn, and helps with the overall running of the house. I immediately began to think that Madison never does these things without being asked. Again and again. And again. Then I had a moment of clarity. A honest to goodness light bulb moment.

As much as it is important to be fair and consistent in regards to chores and responsibilities, it is also equally important to recognize each child's individuality and interests. Children are indeed individuals. Each child has his or her own interests and strengths and passions. It is hard to remember that sometimes, and children often get grouped together and expected to respond and behave in the same way.

As I looked around that morning and saw the work Peyton had done, I realized that Peyton enjoyed straightening and baking and pushing Flynn on the swing for hours on end. Rather than become irritated that Madison rarely seemed to help with these things, I thought about all the things she DOES do. Madison loves to help me with my hair and makeup. She always makes sure I look my best when I have a special place to go. Madison paints my nails and Flynn's too. Madison is also a very social person. She spends a lot of time visiting with my mother and helping her around her house. She plans and hosts parties at the senior center too. These are wonderful things and I realized they are equally important as the household chores Peyton does for me.

Rhett also does his share, and while it isn't exactly the same as the girls, it is part of who he is and what he enjoys. Rhett is very close with my father, and spends a great deal of time talking to him on the phone about movies and baseball and soccer. He is extremely loving and patient when my sweet father repeats the same question or gets slightly confused. Rhett also makes sure that my refrigerator is well stocked with my favorite drink of choice...Cherry Coke.

Flynn, as young as she is, shows tendencies toward organizing and home keeping. She loves to help with the laundry and is a pro at making my coffee. Oh, and did I mention she loves to Swiffer the kitchen floor?

This does not mean that my children always love what they do. Of course, Madison still has certain responsibilities like unloading the dishwasher or vacuuming that she is less than excited about. Rhett still needs to be reminded to replace the garbage bag several times. And Peyton still needs to be prodded to call her grandma on the phone, because that is just not her thing. It means that I have realized how important it is to meet my children where they are, and to celebrate their gifts and strengths and interests. It also means that I have found that my children seem to do a job better and with less grief when it is something they enjoy. ; )

Motherhood is indeed a blessing...a vocation...and a chance to learn as well as teach. And I thank God everyday for allowing me to do just that.