Adventure

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain

Soon I'll be off on my next adventure with a super-special guy.

Pictures and stories of fun and folly will be posted upon our return!

♥ 

Bookalicious

Tonight we visted the book fair at Trab's school.

Keira sat right down with her picks in our cozy reading nook.

I just set this area up.  It's so cute in person.

 {{& when the cushion is on right!}}

This was my selection. 

My mom used to read Amelia Bedelia books to me!

Travis had to have a *3D* book!

This one's a donation for the class. 

Wish I'd gotten one for us as well.

Happy Reading!

Keira's Party

I am ending my crazy-busy weekend with my very first cup of Starbucks Via instant coffee, vanilla flavored.  I've always thought of instant coffee as an abomination, but you know what... this is pretty decent.  Tastes better than the stuff that's been coming out of my Mr Coffee maker. 

{ I don't know what I'm doing wrong! }

Here are some pictures from Keira's party we had yesterday. 

Wish for the moon & the stars my darling daughter!

Tillie had the mic when the music stopped. Poor pumpkin.

Sooooo beautiful to me!

Emily, Brenda, Angela, Me & Ashlee {{I ♥ my Cousins!}}

I went a little crazy, but darn it... we ALL ♥  BIEBER!

I told Nana she needed proof she'd been to a Justin Bieber party. ;o)

Everyone's favorite party of a party!

Cutie Cousins!

After it all.

Keira had a great time and that's what it's all about.  I wish I'd had more time to sit and enjoy it, but someone has to keep things rolling.  It doesn't seem like we'll ever have a house big enough to invite everyone we want to over, but maybe one day...

After the party Aaliyah & Joey spent the night.  It's so good to hear them playing and laughing together.  Cousins are the best friends.

Joey's trying to fake me out.

The Birthday Princess, all tuckered out.

Caramel Popcorn

Caramel Popcorn Recipe <--- Clicky

I got it from a random search on www.allrecipes.com.  There are many different versions, but I tried this one and like it very much! It's so easy and so much better than anything you can  buy at the store. 

I haven't modified the recipe at all and it comes out perfectly every time.  I did consider cutting some of the butter.  Maybe I'll try that next time?  I always air pop my popcorn, but some people say they've done it with microwave and it turns out good too. 

 

Salsa Envy

Mine/Hers

I got an unusual urge to make salsa on Monday.  It was okaaaaaay.  I totally forgot to put onion in it for one thing so that was minus 10 points right there.  Anyhow, tonight my neighbor sent her son over with a jar of her own homemade salsa.  It is SO good.  She is my new favorite neighbor, of all time!  Even better than the lady from the condos who once gave me her *only slightly used* nightie.

LOL!

I told yummy salsa neighbor that I will pay her back for her salsa goodness, when the weather cools down and I can get my bake on! 

Caramel Corn

Pumpkin Rolls

Mini Pumpkin Pie Bites

Cookies

Fudge

Rum Balls....

Oh yeah!

Fall Fever

It starts the last week of August.

My mind turns to dreams of crisp night air, shades of burnt orange, cranberry and gold, and all thinks pumpkin. 

Pumpkin scented, pumpkin shaped or pumpkin colored.  I ♥ it all!

By September 1st, images like these are on a constant rotation running through my brain.

I've got Fall Fever!

Handed down through generations.

My title is a bit of a pun.

You see, the young woman in this picture is my Great-Grandma Selph, Vergie. 

The little girl is her oldest daughter, Versie and that brand-new baby is my Papa, Bob Selph.

The hands holding that baby boy, are just like mine!

And Keira's!

(These are Keira's & my hands)

Isn't that neat?

My Papa had said I reminded him of his mom, but I didn't ever notice the resemblance in our hands until Brenda spotted the match in the picture today.

I LOVE it!

Here's some more fun.  Wish I could spot some other bits of me in these...

My Great-Great Grandpa & Grandma Selph

*My dad's dad's dad's parents*

 Elton and Allie (Maxie) Selph + 4 of 10 of their children!

My Great-Great Grandpa & Grandma Simpson

*My mom's dad's dad's parents*

David & Sarah (Nelson) Simpson

I think I have the lineage straight here, but it's been a long 3 day weekend and I'm undoubtedly coming down with a cold so I'll have to stop here for now.  I should make up a tree with pictures so I can keep this stuff straight. 

A lot of history went into making me!

♥