Talking World Map

I've ordered from Lakeside Collection for years and have been totally satisfied with their products.  I just ordered this interactive talking world map - and I can't wait to receive it.  Great gift idea for back to school...or birthday...or Christmas for the kids' room!

Insanely Cute!

Found these SO CUTE - little girls' shoes at Target - i wanted to buy them all!

They are a brand called Cat & Jack - and they're so unique!

Pretty Purse!

One of my favorite stores in Austin TX is Strut - where I recently purchased this cute purse for fall - it's reversible - it has a zipper pouch attached, and a crossbody strap!  So it can be worn so many ways.  And the taupe/eggplant colors go with everything.

Can't wait to carry it!

Dip in the Skillet

Made this today for lunch and it might be my new FAVORITE dip - it was amazing!

Here's the recipe...

And here's how it turned out... (I used black beans instead of pinto and just cooked the ground meat (didn't have patties to crumble!))

Zucchini Flatbread

This zucchini flatbread is so good and easy to make!

preheat oven to 475.

Just oil a baking sheet and roll out room temp pizza dough to the size of the sheet, then oil the top as well...and sprinkle on thinly sliced zucchini.  Season with S&P. Bake 20 minutes.

Meanwhile thinly slice salami and grate Provolone cheese.  Sprinkle that on top and heat another 2-3 minutes. Cut into triangles and serve.

that's it!

RETIRE - a fun party

My sister just retired from work and her daughter gave her a surprise party on a family camping trip.  I love the "bucket list" theme, and the buckets that spell out the word RETIRE - where each bucket included a gift for retiring that started with each letter.  R was for relaxing - so she got a massage gift certificate, E for exercise so she got a pair of workout pants  , T for time with grandkids so the kids made her cars, I for  indulge so she got  a gift card for a pedicure, the second R for redecorate with a gift card to World Market,  and the last E for eat better with a gift card to Whole Foods!

Isn't that the coolest thing?  Notice the simple decor of pine cones and moss, mixed among the rustic tin servers...so pretty!

Aliens for Dinner

Why not make kids' food fun?  I happen to enjoy eating food that's been made into little aliens...or crabs...too!

Slice a piece of pound cake (I used frozen (thawed before eating) cinnamon pound cake in the grocery store).

Slice strawberries in half then make a V, to make the pinchers.  And sliced slivers for the top of the head.

Use small shaped cookie cutters (I only had stars) for the tops.

Use blueberries for the legs..

Melt chocolate chips and use a toothpick to draw a face. (we forgot the mouth!)

Or create your own!