Lil' Bro and Cousin Time!

 Megan just got her braces off this morning!  I love your smile Meg!

 Lil' Bro wants to show off hie pearly whites too!

 The girl cousins on both sides of our family definitely outnumber the boy cousins

....so we boys have to stick together!

 A Lil' Lovin' by Aunt B!

We'll Miss you!  Safe travels!

Recipe of the Week ~ Fresh Pear Pie

 This weekend I had a special delivery straight from Edgewood Orchards located on Catawba Island! I was so excited to see these pears arrive! I had a pie recipe that I wanted to try but waited until I had some absolutely beautiful pears to make it out of!  This recipe was said to taste similar to apple pie and when it was all said and done and eaten it did!

Fresh Pear Pie

• Ingredients

• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 5 cups peeled and sliced pears
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

1. Combine sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, and lemon rind in mixing bowl. Toss mixture with the pears.
2. Arrange pears in layers in a 9 inch pastry lined pan. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Roll out remaining dough; cut slits for escape of steam. Moisten rim of bottom crust. Place top crust over filling. Fold edge under bottom crust, pressing to seal. Flute edge. Moisten top crust and sprinkle with a little sugar.
3. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes.

I found the original recipe Here, but made a few changes to it!

Add a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream and you are ready for a little slice of heaven!

 Enjoy!

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

Project of the week ~ Glowing Jars

Glowing Jars

Step 1: Cut the end of a glow stick

Step 2: Shake the liquid into a jar.

Step 3: Place Saran Wrap on the jar and screw on a jar ring. 

If you have canning jar lids they would be more durable with little 

fingers that may be tempted to poke the Saran Wrap.

You now have a cool night light!

***Beware of glass inside the glow stick tubes.***

The Glow sticks have a shorter life span once they are opened compared 

to keeping them as bracelets and necklaces.

Homage to the Bug Whisperers

Before having children I heard that boys catch frogs, play in the mud, put every bug into captivity and live for the great outdoors.  No one let me in on the secret that girls do that to....just usually with a bit more style!  If I let them play outside in their dress up clothes, ballet outfits or fancy dresses, they would.  I have lost count of the frogs and "crawlie" things that have come inside just to be turned around to go right back outside!  Lil' Bro definitely loves these things as well but for the past 8 years I have loved the screams and squeals when they are chasing and catching their newest little friend! The latest guy to become acquainted with our crew is a pretty fun one!  So fun that I heard, "Mommy, Mommy get your camera!  You won't believe this!!!!!"

Here's Lookin' at you Kid!

Last Cookout before School!

Back to School ~ 2012

2012

Lil' Sis got in on the action too!

Back to School 2012

Back to School 2012

 Everything is all set and ready to go for school tomorrow!

 Middle Sis has her Purple balloon ready for the bus!  It signals that a Kindergartner lives here! 

 Our neighbor got in on the photo shoot, too!

 Backpacks are ready, labeled and set to go!  (Children's Place $8.00!)

 Where is the bus?  Even Lil Bro is waiting in his fancy footwear!

 The bus just came into view and Middle Sis's smile turned sad really quick.  

She said, "Mommy, Daddy, I really do not want to go to Kindergarten."

 With the help of her family, by the time the bus pulled up, Big Sis had put her arm around her and helped her make the big step into the great wide world.

 I am so glad they are there to help each other.

 There is Middle Sis.  1st row in the back!

Good Bye Sisters!  See you in a little while!

3 hours later.....

 Woohooooo!

Best Day Ever!!!!