{ c'mon, Irene }

We survived the "big storm" (that wasn't).

My daddy was here visiting, which 100% took the stress off. We ended up stocking up on lots of booze, cooking big pots of yummy food ("just in case..."), and enjoying some cooler temps and beautiful showers.

Thankfully here on the New Hampshire Seacoast, the extent of our hurricane effects was brief gusts of wind (that cleaned out the "loose" tree branches) and some moderate rain -- nothing but a good ol' fashioned thunderstorm.

{ my office }

Thought I would share what my kitchen looks like in the middle of a "cookie project."

It's tough to find a place to pour Aidan a glass of milk, but we manage. ;)

{ an apple for the teacher }

When I taught school, I loved using clip art from an artist named Amy Dott Harner. Her graphics are simple, bright, and oh-so cute.

One of my favorites was a depiction of a teacher surrounded by adorable little kiddos. I used this particular image on the front of my "Welcome Back" packet for parents and students.

Since I no longer have my own classroom, I seldom have much use for Amy Dott Harner's brilliance; however, now that my own little guy is starting kindergarten this year (sniff, sniff), I figured it would be fun to bake some sugary morsels for his new teacher using (you guessed it!), Amy's themes as inspiration.

From years of experience, I know how stressful the beginning of the year can be, and I can't imagine adding an entire room full of bright-eyed kindergartners into the mix. So here's hoping Mrs. Woodhouse, Aidan's new teacher, enjoys her apples this year -- both the edible ones and the little ones whose minds she'll be broadening!

{ baby [navy] blues }

Cookies for my beautiful cousin, Robyn, who is hosting a baby shower.

The navy and white scrolling pattern is from the nursery bedding. It sort of reminds me of wrought iron I might see in San Antonio. And considering the "customer" is one of my favorite native San Antonians, it seems rather fitting.

{ gracias }

A cookie platter of gratitude. :)

{ en fuego }

My sister and nephew are visiting for a week of fun in the sun and some much-needed boy-time for Aidan and his cousin, Grant.

Both little guys are big fire truck nuts, so I thought I'd kick off the festivities with some fire-themed goodies.

{ star wars }

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, cookies were made for 5-year-old Birthday Boy, Bryce ... the ultimate Jedi.

caliente

Coolin' things off, ol' style.

feta and spinach chicken burgers

A simple, light and delicious dinner.  

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 4 ounces feta cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 2 pounds ground chicken

Process

• Add eggs, garlic, feta cheese, spinach, and chicken to a large bowl and mix until well-combined; form into 4 patties.  
• Cook on preheated grill pan until centers are no longer pink (about 15 to 20 minutes)

:: christmas in july ::

An oh-so-very-special delivery arrived today from one of my favorite shops, Pence Christmas Tree Farm in Pontotoc, Mississippi. But even better than the origin of the mail was the contents of the package -- RAZ products! -- undoubtedly, the greatest Christmas decorations ever.

I swear, I could seriously spend the entire lot of my retirement fund on RAZ Christmas goodies -- they make me giddy. The colors are as bright and gaudy as my treasured Mexican tin ornaments, and just as whimsical and beautiful.

So if we suddenly experience a blessed drop in temperatures, or if cool breezes spontaneously relieve the country from the current oppressive heat wave, you can thank me for bringing a touch of December to the world (and send me a RAZ item as a token of your gratitude).

Color. Glorious color. And even better ... Christmas! Glorious Christmas (in July).

Is it fall yet?