Chicken and Potato Pancakes

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from Austin and Melia's Botanical Gardens shoot. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon... for me. It was fun to watch Melia convince Austin into smiling through a photo shoot. She bribed him with the picnic. Ahh. The memories. How many times have I bribed the boys to smile for food? (Too many to count!)

I will say he was MUCH more cooperative for Melia... which was great!

RANDOMNESS #1 - I met a new Recipe "source" this weekend. We went tubing with the Tuggles Sunday afternoon, and I was introduced to Jennifer, Julie's sister-in-law. I was also introduced to Jennifer's Fresh Corn Casserole and Strawberry/Peach Summer Cake. (I totally made up the name for that last one.) She is a wonderful cook, and those two dishes alone were enough to make me throw away all of my dog-eared Southern Living magazines and just use her telephone number when I need/want a new recipe idea.

Y'all are going to love the next four or five Tuesdays!

RANDOMNESS #2 - I made my Summer 2011 list last night. It mentions everything I want us to do as a family during the precious, short weeks of Summer.

I know we won't be able to mark everything off, BUT it is a good accountability tool. Since Summer goes by so quickly, it is too easy to wake up the week before school begins and wonder where all the time went.

As you probably have guessed by now, I LOVE marking things off a list.

RANDOMNESS #3 - A few weeks ago, I told you about The Book of Awesome. I am loving this blog, and I thought I'd share a few more of these wonderful "little" awesome things we take for granted day after day.

I'll share the linkage with you again this Thursday.

Really good candy with your bill at a restaurant.

The smell of freshly cut grass.

Pushing those little buttons on the soft drink cup lid. (I know. Right?)

When you push the button for the elevator and it’s already there.

Building an amazing couch cushion fort.

Pouring a drink where the bubbles go right to the top but not over. (Still a thrill!)

Finally having your ears pop back to normal long after a flight or swim. (The definition of "happy.")

Salt.

Remembering what movie that guy is from.

When you find out what was making that horrible smell and get rid of it (YES!)

Chicken and Potato Pancakes

What is your first reaction to the name of the recipe this morning? Did you gag a little? That was me. However, when I read the ingredients, it started sounding pretty good. (Of course, you use gravy instead of syrup.) I think once you get over the name, it's going to taste pretty wonderful, too.

You will need the following:

2 cups instant pancake mix
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese
1 cup refrigerated shredded hashbrowns
4 green onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Knorr Roasted Chicken Gravy Mix

1. Whisk together pancake mix and milk in a large bowl, whisking just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in chicken and next 6 ingredients, stirring just until blended.

2. Pour about 1/4 cup batter for each cake onto a hot (350 degree), lightly greased griddle or large nonstick skillet. Cook pancakes 3 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look dry and cooked; turn and cook other side 5 to 6 minutes or until done. Serve with gravy, if desired.

I found this recipe in an OLD Southern Living while I waiting to get my hair cut this weekend. Once you get past the word "pancake," it starts sounding pretty good, doesn't it?

I'll be flipping Chicken and Potato Pancakes tonight. Stay tuned for a play-by-play in the morning!

Have a lovely Tuesday. Remember... Wednesday is our busy day on A Simple Life. I'll be sharing a fun "swap" for you and your friends, pics of the Old-Fashioned Picnic we had Friday AND more and more Randomness.

Take care, and I'll talk to you in the morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Mindless Monday

Good Monday morning!

The Gallery is FULL of "Tubing With the Tuggle" pics. I also have photos from Melia and Austin's Three-Year Anniversary Celebration AND the Old-Fashioned Picnic taken by Roxie and Friends. However, since I have so many pictures, I decided to spread it out over three days. That's right. You'll have to come back!

It was a busy, fun weekend, and today we recover. Laundry, housework, dirty dogs, yards, and many, many other tasks await the Faulkner Five.

We ARE going to be cooking out tonight, but our Memorial Day fun was enjoyed yesterday.

I hope you and yours have a fantastic day. Stay safe, and visit again tomorrow for a GREAT new recipe and more pictures than you can "shake a stick at."

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from an event I helped with last night (Well, I helped a little bit). After the Seniors from our church graduate, there is a reception held in their honor in our church Fellowship Hall.

The moms/graduates decorate "tables" that represent the Senior's high school years. Everyone eats, visits and takes pictures. It's a wonderful way for Moms to get to totally enjoy the graduation festivities, too. You don't have to worry about finding a restaurant which will seat a dozen or more people, and you don't have to spend the day cleaning, cooking and preparing for a ton of people at the house (unless you want to).

As a Mom, you are able to totally enjoy the day, the ceremony AND the after-party. (And as a Helper Mom, I was able to fix a plate of food toward the end of the evening and eat, eat, eat. They had pimento cheese. I ADORE pimento cheese... and this particular cracker spread was some of the best I've ever had. I don't like to brag, but in my circle of acquaintances, I am known as a pimento cheese connoisseur. Just saying.)

Since I'm a Junior Mom, I helped make sure the food was replenished. Like I said above... I helped a little.

Weekend Happenings

This will be another short post today because I have a lot to do... and not much time to do it all. And it's all good stuff, too, so I'm not complaining. I just want to get started!

Today is Day 2 of the lovely Melia's Anniversary Extravaganza. I have a tiny part in today's plan this afternoon, and that is all I can say about that! Thank goodness Austin went to work early this morning. I am awful about letting the "cat out of the bag," but so far, so good. (Don't worry, Melia! I'm not going to spoil anything!)

Today is also Roxie's Old-Fashioned Picnic. I've changed a few things since the ground got a soaking yesterday evening. The location is different, but still old-fashioned and fun (I hope). And going to Yolo's for dessert NEVER changed. That is set in stone.

Saturday is officially "Work at the Chick" day for Austin AND Josh. Cha-ching! I'll be catching up on housework. No cha-ching!

I'm hoping, hoping, hoping Sunday will be a tubing day. So far, the weather looks like it is going to cooperate... and I hope everything else works out, too.

I hope you have a grand and glorious weekend spent with family and friends. It is officially Summer at Faulkner Farms (circa 1842) and the "living is easy." As is our custom, we are not even driving past the schools during the next two and a half months.

I'll be back for Mindless Monday, and guess what? I am actually going to have a TON of pics to share. No. Really. I am!

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

End-of-the-Year Family Date

Good Thursday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from our Family Date last night celebrating the END-OF-THE-SCHOOL-YEAR! It's a simple tradition, but fun... and it is something you can do with your kids from preschool until high school graduation. More on this date below.

RANDOMNESS #1 - The Boy is officially finished with his "Maymester" today! He is also a Junior in college. WOW! And again... WOW!

He's coming home to a three-day anniversary celebration with the lovely Melia. They have been dating for three years now, and from what I hear from both camps, they are going to have a very good weekend.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Josh isn't graduating this year, but I still get to attend part of graduation. I'm going to help serve the graduating Seniors and their families during the reception following the ceremony. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the caps and gowns... and all the guys and gals I have known the past 17 years.

Who knows? I may have some graduation pictures in the Gallery tomorrow. That would be pretty cool, wouldn't it?

RANDOMNESS #3 - Speaking of graduating, Josh will be a Senior this coming year. Roxie will be a Freshman and as I mentioned above, Austin will be a Junior.

I am older than dirt.

Blog Linkage - Today's list is a little on the small side, but here are three links for you to enjoy today.

1. Go to Big Mama under My Blog List and scroll down to Previous Entries. Click on her post entitled "This only adds to my issues with chicken" dated May 25. It reminded me of my last Field Day/May Day three years ago. I LOVED Field Days as a little girl, and I enjoyed working them as a parent for my three as they were coming up through the ranks. Tie-dye shirts, snow cones, relay races, etc., etc. Good times. Good times.

2. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. Click on Home and Garden at the top of her page and scroll down to the post entitled "Knockout" dated May 24. I have seen these roses EVERYWHERE this year, and I thought Knockout was just a nickname. Obviously not.

3. Now click on the Cooking portion at the top of her page. Scroll down to the post entitled "Big Fat Bacon Sliders" dated May 25. Nuff said. I'm making these this weekend. Oh, yes. I most definitely am!

End-of-the-Year Family Date

This isn't an extravagant or memory-making date in and of itself. However, it can become a family tradition... so it's a good thing.

On the last day of school (for all of your kids... it may vary from school to school), plan on taking everyone out to eat to celebrate and reconnect.

This past school year has been very tiring... for the kids AND the parents. Since Josh and Roxie were both finished with school the same day, I checked the "Date" envelope and announced we were going out to eat. The kids and Mikie looked at me with weary, red-rimmed eyes and said, "Really? That would be great."

As I said before, it wasn't extravagant. We went to Logan's. But it was needed. We talked a little about the past school year, but the majority of the conversation revolved around what we wanted to do this summer... on our own and as a family.

We took our time eating, talking, planning and headed home for a movie night. It was a good night. We needed to acknowledge the past year, but spend time looking ahead at what the kids hope will be an "epic" summer.

Add this as one of your annual dates. Take the kids to breakfast the first day of school, and treat them to dinner the last.

Have a good Thursday. I'll be back in the morning to post Weekend Happenings. I'm scared to say for certain, but I think tubing might be in our immediate future. (I hope. I hope.)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

End-of-the-Year Party Ideas

Good Wednesday morning!

ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! My server is down. That means I cannot post on the ORIGINAL "A Simple Life." I have created a TEMPORARY "A Simple Life." Until I tell you otherwise, the address is wwwwbelindafaulkner.blogspot.com. (There is no "." between "www" and "belindafaulkner.") As soon as the problem is resolved, I'll put this post and all future posts on the ORIGINAL A Simple Life!

RANDOMNESS - Over the last five or six days, Mikie has had to take over the wifely/motherly duties of the household as my time has been spent hither and yon. He has done an excellent job. Laundry, dishes, ironing, more laundry, more dishes, herding teenagers, more laundry, keeping in touch with The Boy, keeping Roxie happy, reminding Josh of his daily grass cutting schedule, etc., etc., etc. (I did leave him a casserole to pop into the oven and a really good crock-pot meal. I didn’t want you to think I let them starve.)

But Mikie is tired. When he arrived home last night, the smells of Italian sausage lasagna (Stouffer’s) and garlic toast (minus the garlic… I forgot) greeted him at the door. I was dressed, coiffed and made up (mainly because Roxie and I had to attend a mandatory Volleyball meeting). He hugged me and said he appreciated me. All righty. Mission accomplished.

And then he asked the question I’ve been trying to figure out for years and years. “Where do all the dishes come from? It was just me, Roxie and Josh and we were gone during the middle of the day. But every night I had to wash three loads of dishes in the dishwasher.”

“I know. What’s up with that?” I eagerly responded. Finally, someone understood my pain.

“And the clothes. My goodness. How many different outfits do these kids where every day?”

“I know! I know! I’m not even giving them clean towels, rags, socks and underwear any longer. They just drip dry and go directly for the outerwear. But I’m still washing three loads a day!” I was getting excited now. He not only understood my pain, but he was willing to whine about it with me. Oh, yes!

“And have you noticed how a room looks when they leave. It’s like a bomb blew up. And I’m always telling them, ‘Pick up your mess. Pick up your mess.’ It’s just exhausting.” Okay. He was starting to get on my nerves a little now.

“Well, it isn’t that bad. They’re just messy teenagers. They do a good job on their chores. It won’t always be like this.” I countered.

“Are you kidding me? You don’t just tell them once… You have to tell them 100 times!” Mikie was starting to get hysterical, and I was contemplating slapping him.

He took a deep breath and told me what I already knew… “I don’t want your job.”

“Good. You’re fired,” I said in my best Donald Trump voice as I put a load of clothes in the washer, and I wondered aloud once again, “Where do all these dishes comes from?”

Wednesday Wisdom - It is graduation week in the South. I thought it would be appropriate to share thoughts about the subject.

“A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success.” Robert Orben

“Your families are extremely proud of you. You can't imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money.” Gary Bolding

“Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated.” Garry Trudeau

“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing worth knowing can be taught.” Oscar Wilde

End-of-the-Year Party Ideas

Roxie and Friends have an End-of-the-Year Party/Get-Together every year. We have had a Mystery Party, an Around-the-Town Scavenger Hunt, a Rockette Party (the name of our local dance team), etc., etc. We have gone out to eat, seen movies and shopped.

This year we are having an Old-Fashioned Picnic by the lake. The girls will feast on fried chicken and fixins, feed the ducks and have their pictures taken a million times (which they love). We’ll end this school year by going to a NEW favorite cupcake restaurant called Yolo’s.

Here are a few more ideas I found this morning surfing the web!

1. Go Hawaiian Party - Play limbo, make and wear leis, create island snacks (pineapple skewers, coconut treats, etc.) and dig for beach finds in a kiddie-pool filled with sea shells. Use the sea shells you find, glue them on a Dollar Store picture frame and take a group picture of the friends for a party favor. (You may have to deliver this gift the next day in order to get the pictures printed and allow the shells to dry.)

2. Wet and Wild Party - Water, water and more water! Come up with as many outdoor water activities as you can. Water balloons, water shooters, sprinklers (several), kiddie pools (several), water baseball (soaking wet sponge ball), bubble blowing and more. Choose snacks that are okay around water like apple slices and dip, carrot sticks and Popsicles.

3. Recent Learning Fun Party - Ask your child’s teacher what they have been studying recently. If the answer is animals, host a jungle or zoo-themed party. If it is American history, host a colonial-themed party with old-fashioned games kids played 200 years ago like hoops and jacks.

4. Post Card Grab Bag - I love this idea. Use it as an activity for any of the above parties. Keep kids in touch over the summer and encourage them to practice their writing. Each child writes their address on three post cards and drops them into a big cloth bag. One by one, kids choose three cards (not their own). They then agree to mail their classmates silly summer news in the coming months.

Our Old-Fashioned Picnic is scheduled for this Friday. Of course, I’ll let you know how it turns out… the good, the bad and the ugly!

Have a fun Wednesday. Don’t forget to encourage someone today… either by word or deed. I’ll be back bright and early Thursday with Blog Linkage and a fantastic end-of-the-school year date.

Take care, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Buttermilk Syrup

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from a walk around my Mother's home yesterday evening. For the longest time, she loved bunnies. Bunnies are still all over the place (in her nature area, on her front porch, beside the path leading to the backyard). Then she started loving turtles. Turtles remain here and there, but they are still outnumbered by the bunnies.

This summer it appears frogs may overtake the bunnies. The collection will continue to grow as she spots a cute frog here and a cute frog there. (I know of a "praying frog" she saw a few weeks ago, and I'm thinking it might be the perfect birthday present. As far as I know, everyone needs a "praying frog.")

I know what you're thinking. "Unless something happens over at Faulkner Farms (circa 1842) soon, the Enchanting Belinda is going to start going from house to house taking pictures of anything and everything that catches her eye."

Don't worry. I would never do that to you... unless you give me your written consent.

RANDOMNESS #1 - I have exciting news. I am going to become a great-aunt AGAIN. Brandi and Jared told us several weeks ago they were expecting a new baby in October (one of my favorite months). This past week they called to say it wasn't just a new baby... it was a new baby girl!

I am thrilled. Matthew has been such a sweet addition to our family. It is so much fun having little ones during the holidays (opening Christmas presents, hiding Easter eggs, etc.). And to have a boy AND a girl will be a double blessing.

RANDOMNESS #2 - I was watching television last night and a commercial came on advertising a new Mark Burnett reality show. YES! And it starts in a couple of weeks. YES! YES! It's called Expedition Impossible, and it looks like a combination of Survivor and Amazing Race for adrenaline junkies.

Will I be watching? Uh, YES!

RANDOMNESS #3 - Two of Roxie's friends touched Taylor Swift during her concert this past weekend. What does it say about a 49 year-old woman who is jealous of two teenage girls who sat close enough to Taylor Swift in concert to touch her?

Please... Don't answer that rhetorical question.

Buttermilk Syrup

Mikie is a very particular when it comes to his syrup. He wants a specific syrup for his pancakes and waffles. (Do not EVEN put a bottle of butter-flavored syrup on the table, thank you very much!) And he'll only eat Yellow Label syrup on a biscuit. (Pancake and waffle syrup is for pancakes and waffles ONLY. Not biscuits.)

He has passed on his insane "syrup" preferences to the children.

That being said, my family may or may not like Buttermilk Syrup... but I'm going to try it anyway.

You will need the following:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon Karo Syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In a large pot, combine butter, sugar, buttermilk and Karo Syrup. Bring to a boil for about 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Add baking soda and vanilla. Mixture will fizz to TWICE THE SIZE or more, so make sure you use a good-sized pot!

3. Set it aside to thicken while stirring occasionally.

4. Pour over waffles, pancakes or French toast.

This sounds good to me. Of course, I cannot eat a whole helping of Buttermilk Syrup, so I'm hoping at least one or two of the Faulkner Five will jump the "ONLY TWO KINDS OF SYRUP EXIST IN THE WORLD" Wagon, and give it a try.

I'll let you know.

Have a lovely Tuesday. I hope you get many, many things done. (I hope that for me, too.) Remember... Tomorrow is our busy day on A Simple Life. Check back if you get a few minutes.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Wednesday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Mindless Monday

Good Monday morning!

I had hoped for many, many more pics in the Gallery today, but once again it was slim pickins around Faulkner Farms (circa 1842). Don't worry. Things are bound to pick up with summer fast approaching. (That's what I keep telling myself.)

RANDOMNESS #1 - I brushed my teeth with DEP Styling Gel this weekend. I did not die. I did not even get sick. However, two days after the brushing, I can still taste DEP Styling Gel. I may have to eat chocolate bon bons today to get the taste out of my mouth.

RANDOMNESS #2 - The following is a conversation I had with my Mother this weekend.

Mother - "You know. I always put off buying new clothes and dressing more stylish until tomorrow or next week or next month. NOW is the time to look good. You should do that, too."

Me - "So what you're really saying is you hate the blouse I'm wearing... right?"

Mother - "Oh, yes. Very much."

RANDOMNESS #3 - With only three more days of school left, the Faulkner Five are eagerly awaiting summer break. We are weary. I remember when I was a kid. I was ready for school to end. I was tired. But I never recall my Mother saying, "I am so tired from this school year. I need a break from school."

(This may be a sign I'm a little over-involved in my childrens' lives. Nah! That can't be it!)

RANDOMNESS #4 - The Boy informed me last night he was going to have "people" take care of his banking, personal finances, taxes, etc. He is also planning on having "people" do any and all car maintenance from now on. His "people" will start keeping his calendar and making his appointments. His "people" will call my "people" about holidays, luncheons, etc.

I have to admit, I'm a little bitter my 20 year-old son is planning on having "people" before I do.

If anyone deserves "people," it is ME!

I hope you have a meaningful Monday. I have a really good recipe to share tomorrow, more pics and more Randomness.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Tuesday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from yesterday... when Roxie found out she made the JV BASKETBALL TEAM! YEA! The "try-out" week is over... finished... done! And we are happy today.

RANDOMNESS #1 - I thought about my "blah" week. You know. This past week when the most exciting thing I could possibly post about was baking Strawberries and Cream Muffins and the beagles... eating breakfast. And I forgot something. Something I found interesting (and painful) at the time.

I had used cleaning products to clean Roxie's bathroom (Pine-Sol and Windex). After I finished, I went downstairs to light my kitchen candles. The match I was using bent when I struck the box. The match ignited and touched the tip of my finger. A little poof of fire shot out from my Pine-Sol and Windex soaked finger... and then my fingernail kind of caught on fire. Not a big blaze (like when your hair catches on fire... another story, another time), but fire just the same.

I blew out my finger (no-brainer), and surveyed the damage. Fingernails obviously burn slowly. My fingernail looked like the edge of The Declaration of Independence... old and brown and brittle.

No major harm done. I just cut the sucker off. However, I did find this mildly interesting (and sort of cool) that I was now able to shoot fire from my fingertips. Kind of like a superhero power.

If you want to hire me for your kid's birthday party, you know where to reach me.

RANDOMNESS #2 - I finished reading my Mother's Day gift (Pioneer Woman, From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels). It reads just like an old Harlequin Romance novel. Lots of kissin' and melting when you hear "his voice." I enjoyed it, but it was definitely a throw-back to my older teenage years.

I especially loved the chapter about their honeymoon. If ever there was a honeymoon disaster story, this book contains it. If you thought you had a bad honeymoon experience where everything went wrong, I encourage you to borrow my book and read that chapter alone. It will make your honeymoon seem like a "dream come true."

It was a fun read. Nothing mind-blowing or deep. Just a good old-fashioned love story between a cowboy and a city girl.

It makes me want to get a horse for Faulkner Family Farms (circa 1842). Hey, Mikie. Are you out there? What do you think? A horse would be way better than a chicken. Don't you think?

Weekend Happenings

My favorite word this week is "frenetic." I like saying it, and it kind of fits my mood. That is the word I'm going to use to describe this coming weekend. Frenetic. "Fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way." That's me in a nutshell. (If you see the Big Gold Van out and about this weekend, stay clear!)

Tonight is the Pink Ribbon Run organized by Tonya, my friend and two-time cancer survivor. Roxie is going to be proudly representing the Faulkner Five at this event. If anyone is interested, you can sign up at the Gardendale Soccer Complex around 5:00 this evening. It is for a wonderful cause... raising money to help find a cure for breast cancer.

Saturday is a Chick-Fil-A kind of day for Austin... and maybe a fishin' kind of day for Roxie and Josh. (I have to talk to Mikie to see if that is a possibility.)

Saturday night, Mike and I will be attending the Garden Art Party (Live and Silent Auction) benefiting Alzheimer's of Central Alabama. We attended this event last year, and we had a ball.

We bid on a few things (dinners at nice restaurants in town, a painting, etc.), but this year I know how it works. I'm not going to be passive. I'm going to be the Aggressive Enchanting Belinda, so watch out. I'm going to get something really, really good. I don't know what, but tune in next Monday to see. (I mean REALLY, REALLY GOOD!)

Sunday, of course, we have church, and what Sunday afternoon and evening will hold we rarely know.

That's the weekend as I know it, but I'm almost positive the remaining four of the Faulkner Five have failed to let me in on some plans. "But I thought I told you about that a month ago." Life with teenagers... gotta love it!

Have a beautiful weekend. I hope you get to enjoy the warm, spring-like weather with friends and family surrounding you. I'll be back Monday with pictures galore... I hope.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

10 Summer Dates

Good Thursday morning!

The Gallery pics feature food today. Strawberries and Cream Muffins. It's an English recipe... and they taste wonderful. If you're interested in making them, I posted the recipe three Tuesdays ago. You can click on Recipes on my sidebar and scroll down a little until you come to the post entitled "Strawberries and Cream Mini Muffins." Try them. I think you'll like them.

RANDOMNESS #1 - Roxie is trying out for the high school Junior Varsity Basketball Team this afternoon. I know what you're thinking. "Didn't she just try out for JV Volleyball two days ago? Are they trying to kill these kids?" The answers are, "Yes" and "Yes." (And I'll tell you. It's no picnic for the parents either!)

Results will be posted in the morning. It's a one-day try-out, so I'm not sure how much rest we're going to get tonight. (And just in case Roxie didn't hear that correctly in the meeting, Mikie is taking the camera when he picks her up in case they post the JV Team tonight... and she happens to make it.)

As always, no pictures will be taken of the "agony of defeat." Roxie will not allow it, and I'm not going to fight her on this one.

RANDOMNESS #2 - I know I haven't posted anything totally riveting in the past few weeks, but life is happening all around, and I've decided to stick with the basics here on A Simple Life. The blog is, and always has been, a very nice little "release" for me, and hopefully, I'll have something with more depth and humor to share in the coming days and weeks.

But being the "giver" I've always been, I'm steering you toward some really good blogs today. As always, feel free to visit, but don't forget about me!

Blog Linkage - I'm sharing entertaining linkage AND useful linkage.

1. Google Birmingham Bargain Mom. (This is easier to me than remembering the website). Click on the first site that pops up. Click on Entertainment on her sidebar. She has TWO lists of FREE and $1 summer movie lists already posted. Check and see which movies you and your kiddos would enjoy and go, go, go.

2. Go to Nesting Place under My Blog List. There are lots of posts to scroll through before you get to "A Painted Coffee Table" dated May 13, so enjoy those, too. But READ "A Painted Coffee Table." I love her easy, breezy way of making her house a really pretty home.

3. Go to Big Mama under my Blog List. Just for fun, scroll down and click on "Previous Entries" until you get to the one entitled "I Walked the Line" dated May 18. It's light and funny reading for a day such as today.

4. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and click on Photography at the top of her page. You'll be able to see the "Action Shot" Contest winner. There are some really pretty and interesting photos to scroll through.

Enjoy.

10 Summer Dates

Here's a little challenge for you. Put this list on your refrigerator the last day of school, and see how many of these dates you can actually take with your kids. Make as many of them one-on-one dates as you can, but use them as family dates, too.

1. Pick your own... whatever. Find a farm with blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, flowers, etc. and get picking.

2. Play outside in the rain. Smell the rain on the pavement. Splash in puddles. Make mud pies (and pictures).

3. Make your own rain. Douse everyone with the hose or sprinkler.

4. Camp in. Put the sleeping bags on the floor and have a family slumber party.

5. Stargaze in the backyard.

6. Catch lightening bugs, and then watch them flicker away into the night.

7. Play a word game. Think Scrabble, Boggle or Bananagrams. (Just the two of you.)

8. Take an early morning bird walk. Choose the right field guide.

9. Teach the kids a game you haven’t played since you were a kid. (I was a huge Hopscotch player back in the day.)

10. Visit a historic house. Kids will be amazed at what the old-timers lived without.

Have a terrific Thursday. Love on someone today. It's the perfect day for that kind of thing. I'll be back in the morning with Weekend Happenings!

Take care, and I'll talk to you Friday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Book Swap Party

Good Wednesday morning!

You lucked out today. I have "people" pics in the Gallery... Roxie and friends making the Volleyball Team. The muffin photos will have to wait.

As for the new GIANT photo welcoming you to A Simple Life at the top of the blog, do not be frightened. It is indeed an insect (I think a moth is an insect), but I do not plan on changing the name of the blog to The Bug Blog anytime soon. I just liked that picture. (I'm hoping to get a shot of a colorful butterfly when the temps rise about 60 degrees.)

ANNOUNCEMENT TO DAWN! - I haven't forgotten your candle. I still haven't been able to get them on the phone, so I don't know if their store was damaged by the storms. I know other places of business less than a block away from the store were hit. I just wanted you to know (publicly) I am still trying. Thank you for being patient!

RANDOMNESS #1 - Yes. Yes. Roxie made the JV team. Of course, we are beyond thrilled AND excited AND relieved. We are feeling all of those emotions 14 year-old females feel when something great happens. Actually, "she" is feeling all of those emotions. I have found those emotions to be totally and completely exhausting for 49 year-old mothers. I have decided to just be happy for her.

And do you know what one of the most "exciting" things about being on the JV Volleyball team is? Do you? The fact that the locker room is called "Women's Locker Room" and not "Girls' Locker Room." Once again, it's the little things that bring the most joy.

Roxie is ready for high school. I am not sure high school is ready for Roxie.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Thanks to my friends, Jonella and Jennifer, I am also starting a Wicked envelope. If all goes well with the envelopes, the family will be seeing Cirque Dreams Holidaze in December... and probably two of us will be seeing Wicked in February. (I'm thinking me and Roxie or me and Mikie... or me and somebody. As you can see, I'm 100 percent sure I will be attending the performance!)

Wednesday Wisdom - Did you know there is a website that gives you FIVE quotes for the day... every day? I didn't, but somehow I stumbled onto this site, and today I give you a smorgasbord of quotes on several different subjects.

Quote of the Day

"Nobody got anywhere in the world by simply being content." Louis L'Amour

Love Quote of the Day

"People protect what they love." Jacques Yves Cousteau (Fun fact for you... When I was a kid, I LOVED Jacques Cousteau. I always watched his TV specials, and until I saw Jaws as a teenager, I wanted to be a marine biologist. After I saw Jaws... not so much.)

Art Quote of the Day

"Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing." Salvador Dali

Nature Quote of the Day

"Earth laughs in flowers." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Funny Quote of the Day

"At my age, flowers scare me." George Burns

Book Swap Party

I totally borrowed this idea from eighteen25 under My Blog List. It's a great idea for a Girls' Night Out with your friends... or a party for your teen's chick friends.

Every couple of months or so, the women meet for a Book Swapping Party. They gather at a restaurant to eat, swap books and chat for a few hours.

When they meet back in two months, they return the book they borrowed to it's rightful owner.

I think you could select a theme for each Swap (Favorite Christian Book, Favorite Humorous Book, Favorite Classic, Favorite Fiction, Favorite Biography, etc., etc.). The list could go on and on.

If you have a group of "reading" friends (or your child does), plan a Book Swap Party in the very near future.

It sounds like a fun and easy idea, doesn't it? If you're interested in more details, click on eighteen25 under My Blog List and read today's post entitled "Library Cards."

Have a lovely Wednesday. For some reason, I keep thinking today is Thursday. I have got to get my act together. I have Blog Linkage and a date for your enjoyment tomorrow.

Take care, and I'll talk to you in the morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Kentucky Hot Browns

Good Tuesday morning!

I told you. I told you Sparkle and Copper would be in the Gallery this week. Maybe more than once! Oh, and I'm planning on making those Cream and Strawberry Muffins and taking pics... step-by-step. So that's what you have to look forward to this week, beagles and food... in that order.

RANDOMNESS #1 - I received the Broadway Series schedule in the mail yesterday. We've never gotten the season tickets. For one reason, we've never wanted to see every show, and for another... it's a little pricey. However, we have gone to ONE show some years. Cats, Les Mis, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Bill Cosby... and the one we all still talk about, The Lion King. (It was SO good.)

This coming season is going to be great, and we've each picked out shows we would like to see. Of course, we have to pick and choose, and since I'm the Mother Unit (and when the Mother Unit ain't happy, ain't nobody happy), I really think the Christmas Cirque Dreams Holidaze show is the one we need to see. Not only will it be a good show, but I can mark it off my list of 100 Things To Do Before I'm 90.

I really want to see Wicked. I have heard a lot of good things about that show, too.

And there's a show called Mark Twain Tonight starring Hal Holbrook (Dixie Carter's husband). I believe I would thoroughly enjoy that show.

Unfortunately, Les Mis is coming again. Mike and I went to see this show many years ago. Let it be known now, Mikie is not only a plaque reader, but he is a musical lover.

When I think of musicals, Disney movies come to mind... dialogue AND songs together. When Mikie thinks of musicals, he just thinks songs, songs, songs... no dialogue.

I'm the kind of person who needs dialogue. I cannot focus on every word in a song for 20 or more songs AND follow the story. I simply cannot. Thirty minutes before intermission, Mike is holding me in my seat so I won't stand up and scream, "Just say it! Don't sing about it for 15 minutes. Just say it!"

There's probably a name for what ails me, but I don't know what it is.

On the other hand, Mike and I both disliked Cats... very much. Once we discovered it was indeed about cats (and we were still unable to follow the plot), I declared, "No more musicals for me." And I've stuck to my guns.

I guess what I am saying is I will be starting a Cirque Dreams Holidaze money envelope this week (not a Les Mis envelope). Something to look forward to!

RANDOMNESS #2 - Roxie's heading to volleyball tryouts again today. The second cut will be announced tonight. (If you hear nothing about the cut on A Simple Life OR Belinda's Project Life, you will know we do not have good news... and we have gone underground.)

RANDOMNESS #3 - Training is over, and Josh is now a full-fledged Chick employee. (I'm going to see if Chick-Fil-A will become A Simple Life's first corporate sponsor. I know for a fact, the Faulkner Five could not possibly "Eat More Chikin," even if we tried.)

Kentucky Hot Browns

Thank you, Southern Living. I love looking at the new monthly recipes, and this one sounds delicious AND doable.

You will need the following:

4 thick white bread slices
3/4 pound sliced roasted turkey
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3 plum tomatoes, sliced
8 bacon slices, cooked

1. Toast bread.

2. Top bread with turkey slices.

3. Pour hot Mornay Sauce over turkey and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

4. Broil 6 inches from heat 3 to 4 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned. Remove from oven.

5. Top sandwiches with tomatoes and bacon. Serve immediately.

Mornay Sauce

You will need the following:

1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

1. Melt butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat.

2. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.

3. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened.

4. Whisk in Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

How good does that sound? I think you could use Mornay Sauce on just about anything. I might make it by the gallon and just keep a jug in the fridge to pour over "stuff I make." And I might change the name to Enchanting Belinda Sauce. Hmmm.

Have a lovely Tuesday. It's the best day of the week. I have a lot of End-of-School-Year goodness to share on Wednesday. Visit if you have a minute.

Take care, and I'll talk to you soon.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Just Another Mindless Monday

Good Monday morning!

As you can tell from the SPARSE Gallery below, the weekend did not go as planned... at all.

Just the facts, please!

Friday, May 13 (Noon) - Roxie and I get the good news. After 14 weeks, her broken finger is as good as new. She can play ball!

Friday, May 13 (5:00 p.m.) - Roxie calls me to pick her up at the gym. She doesn't feel well.

Friday, May 13 (5:03 p.m.) - I pick Roxie up at the gym. She has a fever. She has a sore throat. She is sick!

Saturday, May 14 (8:00 a.m.) - Roxie and I head to the doctor's office for a shot. A shot of anything. A shot of magic medicine which will make her feel better IMMEDIATELY.

Saturday, May 14 (8:30 a.m.) - The doctor says they are not giving "magic medicine" shots this Saturday. The doctor says Roxie has a fever virus and will just have to let it run it's course.

Saturday, May 14 (8:31 a.m.) - Roxie and I decide to get Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappes to make our throat feel better (hers... not mine). We also talk about finding a new doctor.

Saturday, May 14 (3:30 p.m.) - Roxie has had no fever since the morning hours. She is incredibly weak, and has a headache and a sore throat. We decide to definitely find a new doctor.

Sunday, May 15 (8:00 a.m.) - The fever has been gone for almost 24 hours. Roxie is still weak, but fever-free. I decide a shower would make her feel (and smell) much, much better.

Sunday, May 15 (9:00 p.m.) - Roxie goes to bed early and rests well during the night. Volleyball tryouts begin tomorrow. She has to be at the school by noon or she cannot try out.

Monday, May 16 (8:00 a.m.) - Roxie is still fever-free, but very weak. She still has black rings under her eyes.

Monday, May 16 (5:00 p.m.) - This will be the end of the first day of volleyball tryouts. We are praying she will make the first cut.

Feel free to pray with us today. I know it is a little thing in the middle of all that is going on in the world, but to a 14 year-old chick, it is huge. (I'm thankful God doesn't mind us coming to him with the "little" things.)

RANDOMNESS #1 - Roxie and I spent Saturday watching the NCIS marathon. I have never watched NCIS. Austin introduced it to Roxie, and she loves it. I fell in love with Mark Harmon all over again. I am now officially hooked.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Roxie and I spent much of Sunday morning watching the Say Yes to the Dress marathon. I told Roxie if she EVER got me in front of a group of people and picked out a $10,000 wedding dress when I told her beforehand the budget was $3,000... and then had the NERVE to roll her 20-something eyes at me, she could get married in a Rue 21 dress!

She told me it was just a show, and I needed to calm down. (She was right.)

RANDOMNESS #3 - Josh is loving his new job, and I love that!

Since it is Just Another Mindless Monday, it is supposed to be short on words and long on pics. (Pretend there are 25 or more zoo pictures below. That's what I'm going to do today! Pretend!)

Have a great Monday. I have a wonderful recipe to share with you tomorrow morning, as well as volleyball news and probably some pictures of the dogs. (When I'm picture-poor in the Gallery, I tend to let you catch up with anything and everything going on with Sparkle and Copper. I think it's going to be that kind of week!)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Weekend Happenings

Good Friday AFTERNOON!

GUESS WHAT? My server was down this morning, and I couldn't post today's Weekend Happenings until now.

GUESS WHAT ELSE? My server has informed me they had to remove yesterday's post (entitled Civil War Date), but they will "return" it very, very soon.

AND GUESS WHAT ELSE (LAST ONE)? Two and a half years ago, I had no idea what a widget, server, disabled cookie or post was, but today I know the meaning of the word "post." I'm hoping in the next three to five years to totally understand the meaning of the other three terms.

The Gallery Pic is a leftover from Roxie's Basketball Banquet.

DON'T FORGET - Remember to check out Confessions of a Pioneer Woman (Photography) to see the rest of the photographs which have been entered in the "Action" contest (today and tomorrow). They are really wonderful.

ALSO, DON'T FORGET - I'll be posting a picture a day on Belinda's Project Life tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. (Since my server was down last night, too, I didn't get to post yesterday's Picture of the Day. I'll take care of that in just a little while.)

Weekend Happenings

Today has been extremely busy so far. I had two back-to-back doctor appointments for Josh and Roxie, and in my travels I missed TWO wonderful photo opportunities.

While turning the Big Gold Van around because I had gotten lost looking for Josh's new doctor's office off Highway 280, I had to stop to let two geese and their baby goslings cross the busy side street in front of me. So sweet.

And when Roxie received the "all clear" sign from her surgeon (meaning she could FINALLY touch a volleyball and basketball three days before high school tryouts), I would have loved to have taken a picture of her face. Pure joy!

But, I missed both of those shots. Sorry.

I've got two boys working at different Chicks tomorrow, and a Mikie working at his office for a little while, too. Roxie and I are going to clean (in between her practice schedule). She has invited some volleyball chicks over tomorrow night for a cookout and some setting, serving and passing drills. It should be fun.

As far as Sunday goes, I will be celebrating my Mother's Day. Hopefully, I will receive three hanging baskets (a tradition), the Pioneer Woman's new book (a must-have) and a trip to the zoo. Again, we'll see if anyone in the family really reads my blog.

I hope you have a good weekend. Spend tons of time with family and friends. Date, date, date your spouse and kids. Eat together. Watch TV together. Read together. Worship together. Family time is precious, and not something to be taken lightly.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Civil War Date

Good Thursday morning!

I only have one Gallery Pic this morning... and it's a leftover from Monday night's Choir Concert. It's just a photo of one of Josh's many fans!

RANDOMNESS - I am Randomness-Free today. I am without Random. Usually, Random is all that flows through my head at any given time, day or night. Very, very odd. If anything pops into my head today (anything at all), I promise to re-post during the day.

Blog Linkage - I just have a couple of links to share with you today, but they are good ones.

1. Go to Nesting Place under My Blog List and scroll down to the post entitled "Process: Slow Decorating" dated May 11. This girl makes a lot of sense to me. I like her style, and her lovely "lived-in" home.

2. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and click on Photography at the top of her page. She has another contest underway, and this is a good one. It is entitled "Action." She's already posted two days worth of "Action" shots, and she'll have Days 3 and 4 today and tomorrows. I LOVE looking at these pictures.

Enjoy!

Civil War Date

It has been documented on A Simple Life, so this will not surprise you. I have THREE history buffs in in the family. That's right! Three Plaque Readers! And while this is a HUGE source of irritation for Roxie and me whenever we travel, Mikie, Austin and Josh do enjoy a good plaque from time to time.

If you have a history buff tween or teen in your family, this may be the date for you.

Tannehill Civil War Reenactment - Tannehill and the Alabama State Militia Artillery will host the 12th annual Civil War Battle and Living History Reenactment May 28 and May 29. There will be more than 500 reenactors present. Camps open at 9:00 a.m. with the battle beginning at 2:00 p.m.

You and your date can shop for unique Civil War collectibles, jewelry, clothing, uniforms and more in the traveling merchandise tents.

Try some of Doc Bell's Wizard Elixir. (Hey! Be sure and check the ingredients of this Elixir before you give it to your kid. I'm assuming it's family-friendly, but do NOT take a chance!)

Step into Colonel Jon's Kitchen for some delicious Indian fry bread.

See swordsmanship, marching and firing demonstrations.

Hear live Civil War music from the 5th Alabama Regimental Band.

Admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors (62 and older) and $2.00 for children (ages 6 to 11).

Tannehill is located 12 miles below Bessemer off I-20/59, Exit 100. You can see photos of last year's reenactment at www.tannehill.org. For more information, call 205-477-5711.

NOTE - As I mentioned above, the camps open at 9:00 a.m. and the battle begins at 2:00 p.m. The event is over at 3:00 p.m.

Have a terrific Thursday. I'll be back bright and early Friday morning with Weekend Happenings, Randomness and one or two more pics to finish this busy, busy week. Feel free to stop by and visit awhile.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Picnic Party

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from TWO events yesterday. Josh received the Academic Achievers Award (Top Twenty), and we went to a very nice luncheon with him (chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad and WONDERFUL pies). And last night, we attended Roxie's Basketball Banquet (Full Moon Barbecue). Mikie and I enjoyed both very, very much. Great memories, AND I didn't have to cook.

And tonight is Pizza Wednesday, so I'm not cookin' tonight either! Don't worry. I'm only taking a little culinary break. I'm doing the Taco Salad thing for Thursday night. (I put it in writing, so now I'm obligated!)

RANDOMNESS #1 - Fun fact for you... Josh has a new job. He will be working at the Chick in Trussville beginning TONIGHT. That's three out of our six... all working at Chick-Fil-A restaurants (Austin, Brad AND Josh). I'm thinking it is now a tradition and Katie, Roxie and Zac will need to work at a Chick, too.

We'll see. We'll see.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Our Mother's Day sermon this past Sunday was on the subject of "Stress." How perfect was that!

I've thought a great deal about stress the last few years, and while I know everyone reacts differently to stress, I have been able to put mine neatly in a timeline. In decades, no less!

21 to 30 - I thought I had stress (finishing school, moving into an apartment, joining a new church, dating, blind dating, working, deadlines, getting engaged, getting married), but I was wrong! That was fun stuff. Really, really fun stuff. And while there was stress going on, it was exciting, adrenaline-rushing stress. (Yes. In my 20s, I had adrenaline!)

31 to 40 - I thought I had stress (giving birth to three babies, raising three babies, preschool parties, birthday parties, play dates, stomach viruses, camping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, LAUNDRY, LAUNDRY), but I was wrong! That was wonderful stuff. Really, really wonderful stuff. And while there was stress going on, it was funny, ever-changing, sweet memory-makin' stress. (Just so you know, I could definitely tell my adrenaline level was getting lower and lower during that decade.)

40 to 49 - I thought I had stress (family illnesses, loss, children becoming teenagers, teenagers leaving home and becoming semi-adults, gravity, GRAVITY, GRAVITY), and this time I WAS RIGHT! I had STRESS! Big time! (And if you are in your 20s and 30s reading A Simple Life right now, let me just tell you... in your 40s there is NO adrenaline left!)

But I didn't have more stress than others around me. In fact, I could usually find someone who was much more stressed than I was at any particular time.

Stress is a fact of life, and quite frankly, I do not care for the "40 to 49" decade of stress. I do not care for it at all! But it's up to me to handle it the right way. I can worry about it, wrestle with it, cry, lose sleep... and wake up with it bright and early the next morning... OR I can follow God's plan for handling stress.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

See? God has given us the key to stress-free living. Am I good at this? NO. I am not. But it's a moment-by-moment, day-by-day thing for me... and I hope from 50 to 60 I get much, much better dealing with stress.

We'll see. We'll see.

Wednesday Wisdom - I know it isn't Summer yet. It is still Spring... technically. But if you have gone outside the last few days, it definitely feels like Summer. And if you talk to your kids, Summer cannot get here fast enough for them... or me either! Here are some perfect (to me) Summer quotes to get everyone in the mood!

"Beach sand, perfect tans. Day walks, night talks. Sleepless nights, pillow fights, and spending every day with those who matter most.”

“Here’s to the nights where the sand is your seat, the waves kiss your feet, and your friends outnumber the stars."

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” (This is Josh's quote for the summer.)

"The tans will fade, but the memories will last forever.” (And this one is Roxie's!)

Picnic Party

It's that time of year. The END OF SCHOOL! I always have a little End of School fling of some kind, and this year, I was thinking, "Maybe an old-fashioned picnic? Hmmm."

Of course, with teenage girls, there will need to be something else (picture-taking, shopping, tanning or movies), but for the "meal" part of the event, a picnic sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

Below you will find a checklist from Real Simple Magazine of all the things you need for the perfect picnic. For our little gathering, I'm thinking three or four blankets/quilts to give us plenty of room, fried chicken fingers and all the fixins' and I'm looking for a location near water under a big, shady tree. (It's been awhile, but Mikie and I used to have lovely picnics at Star Lake in Hoover. We could even feed the ducks!)

The key is keeping it simple, delicious AND fun.

1. Casual foods, preferably sandwiches or other things you can eat without utensils. Avoid foods with mayonnaise. Pack everything in lightweight, resealable containers.

2. Ice pack or bags of ice. Food can spoil and harbor bacteria when not stored at the right temperature. Keep everything cold with refreezable ice packs or fill a couple of resealable bags with ice cubes. They’ll chill food as it’s transported. Add the ice cubes to your drinks during the picnic.

3. Drinks. Bring an assortment of beverages, such as bottled water and sodas.

4. Condiments. Some ketchups and mustards come in mini jars that are small enough to throw in your tote. (Keep the jars to refill at home for your next picnic.)

5. Salt and pepper. Allow everyone to season their food to their liking on the spot.

6. Cups and plates.

7. Utensils, if needed. Opt for reusable utensils.

8. Serving utensils, if needed. If you’re serving salads, you may need tongs or serving spoons.

9. Cutting knife. Look for one with a cover for safe transporting. Or wrap the blade in a kitchen towel.

10. Small cutting board. It’s always handy to have a firm surface for slicing meat, cheese, and bread.

11. Napkins.

12. Trash bags. Don’t leave a mess behind. Dispose of everything you bring to the picnic site.

13. Moist towelettes. When you don’t have access to running water, these make it easy to wash up after eating.

14. Paper towels. Keep a roll on hand for mopping up spills and wiping bowls, containers, plates and utensils before you pack them back up.

15. Blanket(s). It should be large enough to comfortably hold all your picnic-goers and food. A light one that folds small is a bonus.

16. Tote, backpack, or picnic basket. Stow everything in a lightweight, roomy carrier.

Have a lovely Wednesday. I have a little Blog Linkage to share Thursday, as well as a nice little date. I guess I will also have more Randomness AND pics, too. I like things to stay the same (day after day after day), and for some reason I assume you like it that way, too.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Blackberry Sweet Tea

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from last night's Choir Concert. The Spring Choir Concert is a little different from the other concerts throughout the year. It has a definite Talent Show "feel." Josh accompanied two "acts" with the guitar (and did REALLY well), and then he sang his first solo.

I, of course, was a nervous wreck, and I probably didn't "enjoy the moment" as much as I should have... but he did.

If someone told I had to get on a stage and sing Be My Teddy Bear by Elvis, I would have to tell them, "Just shoot me. Just shoot me NOW." I couldn't do it. I think I would have the Elvis' leg jiggle down because when I get nervous that's the first thing that starts shaking for some reason. I have hands like a surgeon (they never shake), but my legs are another story.

RANDOMNESS #1 - This is one of my favorite times of the year because the summer movie blockbusters are beginning to show up at the theaters. I've already told you about THOR, but Captain America, Cars 2, Transformers, Green Lantern, Pirates of the Caribbean, Kung Fu Panda, etc. are all coming this summer, too.

Oh, and don't forget... Turtles: The Incredible Journey. (I'm not kidding. It comes out in June. I need someone to go with me. Leave a comment in the Comment Section of the blog if you are interested.)

Movie-wise, it's going to be a very good summer.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Since we just celebrated Mother's Day, I'm going to share some thoughts on "How to Know You're a Mom."

You automatically double-knot everything you tie.

You find yourself humming the Barney song as you do the dishes.

You hear a baby cry in the grocery store, and you start to gently sway back and forth, back and forth. However, your children are at school!

You weep through the scene in Dumbo when his mom is taken away, not to mention what Bambi does to you.

You get so into crafts you contemplate writing a book called 101 Fun Crafts to do with Dryer Lint and Eggshells.

You spend a half hour searching for your sunglasses only to have your teenager say, "Mom, why don't you wear the ones you pushed up on your head?"

And, a little bonus... "What My Mother Taught Me."

My Mother taught me LOGIC. "If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me."

My Mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE. "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you! Don't talk back to me!"

My Mother taught me HUMOR. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My Mother taught me about GENETICS. "You are just like your father!"

My Mother taught me about my ROOTS. "Do you think you were born in a barn?"

My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until your father gets home."

My Mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when we get home."

My Mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU!"

Isn't being a Mom the best?

Blackberry Sweet Tea

I received the new Southern Living Magazine yesterday, and what did I see on the cover? An article entitled "23 New Ways to Enjoy Tea." All righty, then.

I picked what may appear to be an odd choice, but I've had this tea before, and although I am NOT a blackberry fan, I LOVE this tea.

You will need the following:

3 cups fresh or frozen blackberries (thawed)
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
Pinch of baking soda
4 cups boiling water
2 family-size tea bags
2 1/2 cups cold water
Garnish: fresh blackberries

1. Combine blackberries and sugar in a large container.

2. Crush with a wooden spoon.

3. Stir in mint and baking soda.

4. Pour 4 cups boiling water over tea bags. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags.

5. Pour tea over blackberry mixture. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour.

6. Pour tea through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher. Discard solids.

7. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves.

8. Cover and chill 1 hour. Garnish if desired.

I'm not kidding. It tastes divine. (Of course, it's a lot of work for a beverage, so if you're going to make it, I would suggest doing so for company. Someone who would really appreciate the effort. Hmmm. Perhaps the Enchanting Belinda!)

I hope you have the most delightful Tuesday. As you all know by now, Wednesday is our busy, busy day on A Simple Life, so please feel free to visit again. (I will have a ton of new pictures to post!)

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Mindless Monday

Good Monday morning!

The Gallery Pics tell the story of our weekend... and finally, there was a story to tell! Not a fascinating or breathtaking story, but a story nonetheless.

RANDOMNESS #1 - The Pioneer Woman had a contest called "Quarters" on her blog last week. She chose four winners. Each winner received $500 for their favorite charity to help Tornado Relief in Alabama. I entered the contest, but did not win. However, one of the winners did pick my charity (Samaritan's Purse), so I was happy.

The reason the contest was called "Quarters" is very simple. For every comment left on The Pioneer Woman's blog, she said she would donate a quarter to a Tornado Relief charity. She had well over 23,000 comments. After doing the math, Ree donated over $5,800 to... Toomer's for Tuscaloosa!

I just thought it was worth mentioning.

RANDOMNESS #2 - The GIANT picture at the beginning of A Simple Life was taken from Mrs. Faulkner's garden. In fact, several of my GIANT pictures have been taken in her garden. She has an exceptionally green thumb... and I have an exceptionally good camera. We kind of complement each other.

RANDOMNESS #3 - I have one word for you... THOR! As I said Friday, The Boy and I had a date. Since he is an animal lover (like his Mother), we were going to see Disney's African Cats.

It worked out that Josh was able to go with us Friday afternoon, so I decided to surprise the guys.

Instead of African Cats (which we will see on DVD in a few weeks), I took them to see THOR! And not just THOR, but 3-D THOR! They were very happy, and I was happy because they were... and so on and so on.

If you had told me, "Enchanting Belinda. THOR is going to be one of your all-time favorite superhero movies EVER," I would have disagreed with you. I didn't even know the background story of THOR. I mean, how cool could a superhero with a hammer actually be?

Oh... my... word! Just let me say three words. "Way cool hammer!"

Read the review before you take younger kids to this movie, but tween and teen guys will LOVE it!

And if I were in my early 30s and still having kiddos, you can be pretty sure Austin or Josh would be stuck with the name THOR! And it would be spelled just like that, too. All caps with an exclamation point. Also, there would be no middle name. No need.

THOR! Faulkner. I like it. I like it a lot!

That's it! Enjoy Mindless Monday. I will have a fantastic recipe for Tuesday's post, more pictures in the Gallery and Randomness, Randomness, Randomness.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

I owe you an apology... again. I didn't post yesterday evening as I said I would. That is TOTALLY unheard of on A Simple Life, and there is no excuse. I mean, I have excuses galore, but none of them justify the BIG, FAT LIE I told. (Except I would like to say, when I said I would post yesterday evening, I did have every intention of doing so. Life happens. Some days, life happens... a lot!)

Okay. That part is over. On with today's post!

The Gallery Pics are of Roxie's Honors Tapping Day. It was a good day, and as always, it was an excuse to check out of school early. Even though we have missed 1,000 days of school this year, we felt the need to check out ONE MORE TIME!

RANDOMNESS #1 - I totally missed my opportunity to share 432 great ideas on celebrating Cinco De Mayo... which means next May 5 is going to be really, really great! (Was I the ONLY one who thought Cinco De Mayo had something to do with mayonnaise? Mayonnaise... the best condiment on the face of the earth! I was sorely disappointed.)

Cinco De Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862... and has nothing to do with the discovery of mayonnaise. I just wanted to clear up that huge misconception.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Since I'm already apologizing today, I'll add my friend, Dawn, to the list.

Dawn, if you remember, won the Butt Naked Candle Contest two weeks ago. I did go to Yucatan Trading to purchase the candle, but they were out of that particular scent. They told me they would be getting more Butt Naked Candles Wednesday.

As we all know, the storms hit Wednesday, and Cahaba Heights, where Yucatan Trading is located, was hit hard.

I don't know if Yucatan Trading was directly hit, but I've called several times and all I get is the machine.

Dawn... I want you to know my one and only goal at this moment is to buy you a Butt Naked Candle... very, very soon. It's all I think about. It's all I dream about. My life will not be totally complete until I hand you a Butt Naked Candle.

That being said, I think we all know where I'll be going sometime this weekend.

Blog Linkage - I will be sharing a few websites with you today. I had several more, but because we passed Teacher's Appreciation Day AND Cinco De Mayo, I've decided to skip those.

1. Go to Nesting Place under My Blog List. Read the post entitled "Sick of Your Stuff? How to Change Everything." This woman SOLD everything in her house, painted it totally white and started over. I couldn't do that, but I admire someone who can. Great "before and after" pictures.

2. Go to www.1000awesomethings.com for light reading on the simple things of life that make people happy. It's a very fun blog.

3. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and read "Walter's Night in Hail" dated May 5. The Pioneer Woman's new three-month old basset hound survived his first Oklahoma hailstorm, and, as always, it is funny stuff.

4. When you finish reading Walter's story, click on Tasty Kitchen at the top of the page. It will take you to a new site with a Featured Recipe. Ignore the first Featured Recipe (unless you think you would like it) and hit number 3 directly below it. You will then go directly to the recipe for Banana Split Cake. Yum! It looks delicious.

Weekend Happenings

I have a date with The Boy today. We've been planning it for two or three weeks now, and it's actually going to happen. We're supposed to see a movie. It will be so much fun for me... and I hope for him. (Don't worry. He'll be fine. A giant tub of buttered popcorn and a $15 Coke and he's happy. Who wouldn't be?)

Tonight we're celebrating my brother-in-law's birthday. Tommy is a year and a half younger than me, and it delights him so. I don't even have to buy him a present. He's happy just because I'm older! (We do exchange mean cards though. It's a tradition.)

Saturday is WAY up in the air for everyone except Mikie and Austin. They will be a-workin'. I'm sure the rest of us will find something constructive to do. (I'm working on a list as this goes to press!)

As you all know by now, this Sunday is Mother's Day! As is our custom, the Faulkner Five will be visiting Mike's Mom and my Mom during the day Sunday. I will be wearing my HUGE purple orchid corsage all day long. However, we will be celebrating my Mother's Day next Sunday, May 14.

Don't tell anyone, but all I really want is to go see the new "12 Tons of Fun" Birmingham Zoo Exhibit with the new elephants, etc. with my teenagers and 20 year-old (and, of course, Mikie). I know. My huge kids! We'll see if anyone in the Faulkner Five actually reads my blog to get this BIG, FAT HINT!

I hope all the Moms out there have a wonderful Mother's Day. I hope you make tons of memories with family and friends this weekend. Love on those who need lovin' and encourage those who need encouraging. Kind words and deeds are never a waste.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

LATE POST!

Good Thursday morning!

I am sorry, but today's post will appear late this afternoon... around 4:30 or 5:00, I think. I apologize, but I have an unusually full day, and I just didn't get up early enough to "get 'er done!"

Forgive me, please!

I've added a couple of "Roxie in Her Honor's Tapping Dress" photos in the Gallery to hold you until later today!

I'll talk to you this afternoon.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting and Very Sorry Belinda

Party With a Purpose

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are NOT a tutorial of the Strawberries and Cream Mini Muffins I said I was going to make yesterday. Nope! Didn't happen. But I did buy the strawberries and other ingredients, and today is a new day... so maybe. Hmmm.

No. Today's photos are of my family's FAVORITE dessert. I can spend an hour making Strawberries and Cream Mini Muffins, and MAYBE three out of five of the Faulkner Five will love them. However, I can spend five minutes making cupcakes from a box and icing them from a can and everyone is happy. Very happy.

Like I'm always saying... It's the simple things!

Wednesday Wisdom - Fun fact for you... I LOVE The Hobbit. It's my favorite book written by J.R.R. Tolkien. My boys would argue one of the three Lord of the Rings books is by far the best... but they would be wrong.

My favorite character? Bilbo Baggins. He was a simple hobbit who did extraordinary things.

I was always a little miffed they made they Lord of the Rings movies, but not The Hobbit. However, they are rectifying that HUGE mistake as we speak, and I am looking forward to seeing that movie very, very much.

Here are just a few words of wisdom from Mr. Bilbo Baggins... Hobbit Extraordinaire!

"No hat, no stick, no pipe, not even a pocket handkerchief. How can one survive?" (How, indeed?)

"We hobbits are plain, quiet creatures. Adventures make one late for dinner." (I love the way he thinks.)

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." (You have to read this one three or four times, but eventually you will get it. Or if you are smarter than the Enchanting Belinda, you may get it the very first time!)

Party With a Purpose

Since the storms hit our state last Wednesday, everyone (young and old) has been helping those in need. Here are just a couple of ideas for get-togethers with family and friends which would also help the victims.

1. If you have young children, plan a Picnic in the Park Party for their friends. Everyone needs to bring their own food, drinks, etc. Before the children meet at the park, each Mom should take their child (or children) to Wal-Mart to pick out one toy for a little boy or girl who has lost everything in the storms. Make sure they pick out something they would enjoy themselves. Don't rush them.

NOTE - Take a picture of all of the children around the toys they brought for the storm victims. Make sure to print a picture for each child who attended the party. It will be a great lesson for them. "No matter how young, I can still help."

2. If you have teenagers, plan a bonfire (wienie roast) for their friends. Before the evening of the bonfire, talk to a local distribution center to see what items they need. Ask each friend to bring that item. When everyone arrives, bag (or box) the items and deliver them to the distribution center that night or the next morning.

NOTE - Again, be sure to take a picture of all of the kids around the items. Print a copy of that picture for each teenager to keep.

3. Host a Girls' Night Out at a local restaurant. Ask each girl to bring a $5 bill. Use the money to buy $5 gift cards at a local restaurant (Chick-Fil-A, McDonald's, etc.). Pass the gift cards out (door-to-door) to victims of the storm. Ask the person who answers the door how many people live there, and give them that number of gift cards. When everything in life is so chaotic and uncertain, something as simple and normal as taking your family out for a hamburger could brighten their day... just a little.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. Take time to encourage someone today. There are SO many people who desperately need encouragement after last Wednesday's storms. Always look for opportunities.

I have many, many links to share with you tomorrow, as well as a date for you and yours. Visit again if you have the time.

Take care, and I'll talk to you in the morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Strawberries and Cream Mini Muffins

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pic is OLD, but hopefully, I'll be able to add some new and exciting photos before the end of the week. Or maybe not!

RANDOMNESS #1 - As many of you may or may not know, my family has odd reactions to the most common medications. Benadryl doesn't make my kids sleepy. It has the opposite effect.

Non-Drowsy Sudafed puts me out for a week.

Morphine may stop the pain after a C-Section, but when I woke up I looked like I had been in a fight with a tiger... and the tiger had won. (Code for I ITCH A LOT WHEN I'M ON MORPHINE... WHICH MEANS I ALSO SCRATCH A LOT.)

But I can take Loritab. And Austin can take Loritab. And after Josh has his wisdom teeth pulled this summer, we'll see if he can take Loritab.

However, Roxie and Loritab are not good together. It will eventually put her to sleep, but until sleep comes, Loritab makes her EXTREMELY grumpy. (Some might say "impossible to stay in the same room with" grumpy.)

On a normal "grumpy" day, Roxie wants to be alone. But Loritab makes her grumpy AND needy... as in she NEEDS someone in the room with her to receive the brunt of her grumpiness. As the mother-unit, that someone turned out to be me. Austin WAS watching TV with her, but as the Loritab started working, he couldn't bear it over ten minutes.

What can I say? He's a man.

I'm not proud of it, but I sent her to school today with half of a Loritab in her. Her finger was throbbing and hurting, and we have physical therapy in just a little bit, so I wanted the pain to be under control. She wanted to go to school, so I let her as she promised to call me if she needed to come home.

Fun fact for you... Half a Loritab does not make Roxie go to sleep, but it still makes her EXTREMELY grumpy.

There are some teachers who are going to earn their paychecks today! (Or I may be in teacher conferences all next week for a bad judgment call as a parent.) Stay tuned!

RANDOMNESS #2 - I was watching The Today Show this morning, and they interviewed a blogger who has turned a simple idea into a fantastic blog and TWO books. He talks about a simple "thing" every day that some people may take for granted, and tells why it is awesome. Brilliant!

It is light, funny, interesting and it makes you look at your day-to-day stuff differently.

Here are just a few of the things under his "1,000 Awesome Things" list:

That last, crumby triangle in a bag of potato chips.

Getting grass stains. (Awesome for boys... not so much for the moms.)

Locking people out of the car and pretending to drive away.

Opening and sniffing a pack of tennis balls. (To each his own!)

Finding money you didn’t even know you lost. (YES! This is definitely AWESOME!)

Waiters and waitresses who bring free refills without asking.

Fat baseball players.

Being the first table to get called up for the dinner buffet at a wedding.

Really, really old Tupperware.

Picking up a "q" and "u" at the same time in Scrabble. (This man is a genius! A genius, I tell you!)

Blowing your nose in the shower. (I don't get this one. Must be another "guy" thing.)

Picking the perfect nacho off someone else’s plate.

When you pull to a red light and the guy in front of you nudges up a bit so you can make a right turn. (This is totally AWESOME!)

Eating things past the expiry date.

Eating the last piece of dessert somebody left at your house.

Wearing underwear just out of the dryer. (Not just awesome... heavenly!)

Old, dangerous playground equipment. (Again, a "guy" thing and not a "mom" thing.)

I LOVE this guy! And you can love him, too. I'll be sharing his website information on Thursday under Blog Linkage.

Strawberries and Cream Mini Muffins

I'm a "muffin" girl. I love them. And even though I can now only have a bite of a muffin, I still like trying new recipes. (I also like trying ANY muffin Starbucks offers. They have a Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffin every fall that is "to die for.")

But I digress (again). This is a Nigella Lawson recipe, so it's not a super-easy- four-ingredient type of recipe. It's a homemade-melt-in-your-mouth muffin recipe.

You will need the following:

1 cup strawberries (slightly under-ripe)
1 squeeze of lemon juice
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 teaspoon powdered sugar

1. Dice your strawberries into quarter-inch pieces.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 24-cup mini-muffin tin with paper baking cups.

3. Put diced strawberries into a bowl and spritz lemon juice on them. Stir gently to combine.

4. In a medium-size bowl, stir together flour, sugar and baking powder.

5. In a small bowl, beat together oil, sour cream, vanilla and egg. Pour mixture over dry ingredients, stirring to combine with a wooden spoon.

6. Fold in strawberries. (I love this kind of folding... much better than clothes folding.)

7. Divide batter evenly among the paper cups in the mini-muffin tin.

8. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

9. Cool for five minutes. When muffins are completely cool, dust the muffins with the powdered sugar.

Nine steps to delicious muffins. I'll have a step-by-step tutorial tomorrow... and you can see me eating one! (I CAN have a whole mini muffin.)

Wednesday is the busiest day of all on A Simple Life. I have a ton of stuff to talk about, so if you get a chance, visit again.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

Mindless Monday

Good Monday afternoon!

I didn't think today's post would be so late, but Mike and I took Roxie to the hospital this morning to have her pins removed (YEA), and when we came home around 9:30, the Internet was down. If I had known this was going to happen, I would have gotten up at 3:15 a.m. instead of 4:15 a.m. and posted. Yeah! You know that's true!

I didn't take pictures this weekend. Although we've driven around and seen some of the destruction and devastation firsthand, I overheard an older woman in the grocery store Saturday morning talking to a relative on a cellphone. She was very upset people had been driving by and taking photographs of her destroyed home, but not offering to help. "They have power and gas and a car that wasn't crushed by a tree, and they're just driving by taking pictures of all of us who don't have anything left."

So out of respect for her and all the other people directly affected by the storm, I left the picture-taking up to family, friends and news media. I think there is a HUGE need for pictures and video of this tragedy on Facebook, the news and other media so people will be able to understand how horrible the destruction truly is, but I didn't think it would serve a purpose on A Simple Life.

So many others have done such an excellent job getting images "out there" so people could try to begin to understand the loss. I don't think I could have added anything different or better than what I've already seen.

Today's Mindless Monday is just that... a few pictures taken of Roxie pre-surgery (and one post-Surgery) this Monday morning.

I pray that today finds you and yours safe and well. I pray for all the victims of Wednesday's storms. I pray for the families looking for missing loved ones. My heart is heavy for those who are suffering so very, very much.

I'll be on my regular schedule beginning tomorrow morning. I'll have a recipe to share with you first thing.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Tuesday morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda