Ramona's Salad

Have you tried it? Ramona's salad, Asian Slaw, Chinese salad? It goes by many names but whatever you call it, it is delish! It is a Summer staple in our house and I always make the first one over Memorial Day...its easy too. Goes great with anything - burgers, grilled chicken or salmon, you just can't go wrong! Try it and then try not to eat it all up!

And because I am waaaay to lazy to type the recipe out, just google Paula Deen's Chinese Salad ! Enjoy!

Finally...

Oh yeah...!!!! He picked Sharon!

Music and Munchies

Hard to believe but our little Charlotte has finished her first year of preschool! And my how she has grown in more ways than one. Her Daddy and I are just so proud of her. Her teacher Mrs. Romey and her BFF Holyn were highlights for her this year. The end of school celebration is called "Music and Munchies" - she worked so hard on her songs all year...they had all kinds of cute props and instruments , so cute! Each child was called forward for a certificate and hug! Something about their little voices singing along while their music teacher plays the piano - priceless memories, I feel so lucky to get to be a stay at home Mommy, to witness these moments that only happen once in a lifetime, to be Charlotte and Christian and Campbell's Mommy is such a blessing! After the music it was on to the class for munchies and pink punch...this was after a "donut date" with her Daddy and I...It was a great morning, one I will always remember! We love you Charlotte Rose!

Tour of Homes

I thought this would be fun to participate in...a Tour of Homes hosted by Kelly's Korner (http://www.kellykornerblog.com/) !!! The dining room is the feature this week - take a look at my dining room and visit all the others too for fun!

The first pic is my dining room in full - we love the wainscoating on the bottom of the walls as well as the crown moulding...you just don't get these features in newer homes, our home is 20 years old and is full of architectural details that would cost a small fortune in a new house.

The red walls are actually painted grass cloth wallpaper...we wanted texture versus just a plain painted wall...the chandelier I love it was a steal at $20, a fixture being sold from a restaurant that was closing years ago, I never get tired of it and when I do, I'll just change the shades...another great find at the Ballard's outlet in Atlanta a few years ago. They are actually medal which is kind of neat! I love the silk chord cover too - I think everyone should invest in these, they are inexpensive but add a little bit of drama, they are like $7 at Hobby Lobby - cheap!

The two side chairs are from my parents - they are lovely, they are part of a set of 8 or 10 that they have in storage - they were in a house we had growing-up...the seats are actually old kilm rugs.

My window treatments are simple panels, that "puddle" on the floor. The fabric was a splurge (pre-baby days) from Brunswig & Fils. I ordered it for our first home in Atlanta. I love toile and loved (love) that this was a fresher, modern version (although I love ALL versions and have toile in every room in our home), I also loved (love) that it had palm trees on it...I think it is called "West Indies". Anyway, they worked well in this home after the move, I was ready to "retire" them just yet.

All and all we love the room and use it often, the windows offer a great view into the yard and in the Spring we get a wonderfully huge view of our enormous Lilac tree...it is so pretty over a meal in there. Eventually we hope to replace the carpet with hardwoods that are in the adjoining kitchen and breakfast area. Personally, I just don't think carpet belongs in a dining room...And on another note...I hope everyone takes time to sit and enjoy a meal in their dining rooms with friends and family...it is such a special gift to share with people...so break out your dishes and nice napkins, set a pretty table and enjoy eachother's company!

Love the Landscape

I am not sure what I love more...the house or the landscaping! Let this be my inspiration for the front of our house which I hope to re-landscpae in the near future - I love just the single color of pink (my favorite!) used for the tulips and hydrenga...it is simple but elegant, inviting and classic all at the same time. LOVE.IT.!!! Visit http://www.eddieross.com/ for a close-up of the house as well as the tour of the inside, it is fabulous!

Lizzyanne...Cute!

I am thrilled to be hosting a Lizzyanne trunk show this week! She is a local (well, sort of) gal who designs and sews these precious frocks! I've invited friends and neighbors for coffee and breakfast bites before school is out for the Summer...it is a great chance to see one another before the Summer plans kick-in and everyone is scattered. The house is clean and tomorrow I'll start my baking and cooking...the weather promises to be glorious this week - sunny and 80's (I'll believe it when I see it!)...The porch and patio are gussied-up and I look forward to a great get-together with friends!

If you want to see more cute clothes visit Lizzyanne on Etsy.com and search "elleshanklin"

Summer Survival...

I just discovered this book and am so excited... I plan on truly using it as my Survival Guide...It is loaded with great ideas and crafts, etc. I feel especially challenged this Summer since Christian is more on the move and toddler-ish than last not to mention a son and daughter that not only are different genders but 3.5 years apart. Sometimes this makes for scheduling and activity challenges! I plan to take my que from Nanny 911 and do a schedule on poster board that the kids and I can all refer to...this will hopefully help avoid the constant nagging..."play with me" "what are we doing and where are we going today"," can I have another snack?", when is lunch, when can a friend come to play...blah, blah, blah! With that being said I have "scheduled" less camps and activities than last Summer and I really want the focus to be swimming and reading and just good old fashioned fun! So...check back with me mid June and we'll see if I still the feel same or if I have shipped them off to the grandparents for the Summer! So...what are your "survival" tips for Summer?

Soccer Season...

Happy first goal of the season Campbell! Mommy & Daddy are very proud of you! You and your teammates are off to a great season! We love to watch you run and play hard with a big smile on your face!...

Goodwill Goodies...

I recently found these goodies at the Goodwill down the road. They are pieces for our mudroom where I am in the process of updating our Daily System (ie the Pottery Barn Daily System...- that little, bitty first picture above...ha!). Both pieces will be sanded and painted a glossy white. The first piece will be used for mail and the memo board will hold invitations, birth announcements, etc. The last piece will hold two baskets for cell phones, chargers, Ipods, sun glasses, etc...I also plan to add a few pegs across the bottom for hats or extra keys maybe. I already have a dry erase board and calendar. Still trying to figure out what else would work well on the wall and help this family of 5 function to the best of our ability. The mudroom is always a work in progress for me, we have a cubby for each child and baskets for hats and gloves, glasses and umbrellas. Baskets beneath the bench hold shoes, flip-flops and extra socks. The room becomes very cluttered and messy very fast, it is definitely the family's "dumping ground" ...so I want and need this room to work hard and function efficiently. I think I paid a total of $15 for both pieces...not bad. So, whats your Daily System entail? How can I better organize?

Happy Mother's Day Weekend...

I feel like the luckiest Mom alive!...Have a great Day and do something special for yourself!

More Fun...

Highlights:...Un-interrupted family time, 90 degrees and sunny, water, blue skies, fresh fruit smoothies, Guac, friends made, 8:00 bedtime every night, lots of fruity drinks, watching the "pirate ship" sail each night, sunsets, ice cream everyday, Cocoa (our fav restaurant), swimming 8 hours a day, Kids Club, the water slide, made to order salads, beautiful tropical flowers, finishing a whole book, the parrots, the biggest, yummiest strawberries every morning, made to order lattes, fresh chips and salsa, Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil, the kids smiling ear-to-ear all.day.long..., belly laughing every night, making memories together...until next time!

Thanks for working so hard for us honey so we can get away together and make lots & lots of memories...we love you more than words. xoxox!!!

Mexico Memories...

Just some snippets of the fun we had...(in reverse ...leaving for Mexico at the bottome,arriving at the top) More to come...

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Yum, I am missing the delicious homemade Guac from Mexico right now...our lunch EVERY.DAY...with an ice cold Margarita on the rocks! (or an ice cold Corona with lime!) MMMMMMMM......

Wishing you your own delish Guac and icy cold Margarita kinda day!