*~Product Review: Nature Valley Nut Clusters~*

I was recently given the opportunity to try these wonderful new products. I've been a fan of Nature Valley Granola Bars for a LONG time (Sweet N Salty Peanut Bars...heavenly...) My husband, myself and my father-in-law each tried all 4 varieties. Our hands-down favorite was Roasted Almond, which surprised me, because I'm a cashew lover. The only variety that didn't win us over was the Nut Lovers. These were a little chewy for my taste.

This is a product I'll definitely be purchasing in the future. As I work on my weight loss goal, I've noticed one of my greatest challenges is portion size and control. Some "Serving Sizes" just aren't simply large enough to fill me up! A serving size of these puppies is 8! That's the perfect size for me, and the calories are not bad, either (in the Roasted Cashew, there are 150 calories per 8). So we're keeping these in the house!

*~A Most Excellent Party~*

My original, huge 4th of July party was rained out. Just my luck, right? Oh well. Less time in the kitchen meant more time enjoying my company!

Here is Jeremiah with his Great Grandma *GIGI*.

Here is my slightly smaller-scale food spread on my mother-in-law's kitchen table. I've got chips and Pico De Gallo, cream-cheese stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapeno thingies, twice-baked potatoes, my grandma's special recipe baked beans, star-spangled cupcakes, Utz's pretzels (we buy those because Devan thinks the name is so close to ours!), a Key Lime pie and a Chocolate Peanut Butter pie. There is still a ton of pie in my refrigerator, because I forgot to bring it back out after the picture.

Here is my pyrotechnic crew.

And here's our first pyrotechnic casualty - Devan's shirt. (By the end of the night, the shirt ended up in the trash).

And our second pyrotechnic casualty, Tony's thumb.

All in all, the party was great. Jeremiah went to bed a little too early to enjoy the fireworks, so we saved him a few and lit them last night. He enjoyed them, so I think next year we will put a little more effort into that part of the party.

To everyone who didn't come to the party, too bad for you guys, because we still had fun!

I hope you all had a good 4th. Next year, the party will be much bigger...we're roasting a hog, we've got a band, and we've got 10 people chipping in $100 apiece for fireworks. It's going to be a great party. The 3rd annual Youtzy 4th Of July Bash...not to be missed!

*~Where We Stand At 11:47a.m.~*

• Potatoes in the oven for twice-baked potatoes.
• Veggies chopped.
• Pico de gallo made and chips and pretzels in bowls.
• Baked beans in the oven.
• Seeded and halved jalapenos, stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon.

*~Where We Stand At 5:12 PM~*

Project #1: Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie.

Recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

This was easy and simple, and I used a ready-made crust. I don't care if that's cheating.

Project #2: Key Lime Pie.

Another very simple recipe from The Pioneer Woman. This doesn't look like much now, but when I serve slices topped with whipped cream and grated lime zest, it will be a showstopper.

Ha, ha. I refer to something I made as a "Showstopper!"

Project #3: Strawberry Shortcake Cake. This didn't turn out anything like I wanted. In fact, it's not good at all. I decided to just blend some strawberries in the blender and pour it over individual servings. I suspect that had I followed the recipe properly and had the appropriate cake pan it may have turned out better. We'll still serve it.

And Project #4: Star-spangled cupcakes. You can go to the grocery store and buy some Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting, and you're done. There, I cheated again.

So this is what we're having for dinner! I've earned it.

Stay tuned for tomorrow.

I'm Cooking!

I'm cooking right now, to get a head start on the preparations for the 4th of July. I don't want to be stuck like I was last year, scrambling at the last minute (and being very pregnant!) and unable to enjoy my own party.

Right now I'm making Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie....also today will be Key Lime Pie, vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles, a Strawberry Shortcake Cake, and possibly a 4th of July cake...also considering a chocolate sheet cake. I'll be doing minor preparations, such as chopping onion for things that can't be put together until Saturday.

*~I'm Feeling A Bit Down Today~*

Not because of this guy. He's my joy. Sometimes reading so many blogs makes me feel a bit blue, because so many out there can afford to do such wonderful things for their children. And that's not saying anything bad about these bloggers, because everyone I know is kind and hard-working and deserves to be where they are. We can't give Jeremiah everything, although I wish we could! What we can give him is a roof over his head, food in his tummy, clothes on his back, and a Mommy and Daddy that would go to the ends of the earth for him. I hope that this is enough. I hope that he doesn't think when he is older what a shame it was that he didn't have a beautiful bedroom, designer clothes, fancy toys...I hope he can be happy with what he has and how loved he is.

He's got us, we've got him, and we all have God. How can we go wrong?

Nevermind...I'm not feeling so very down today!

Happy Friday, everyone. Have a great weekend!

*~My Sugar-Pie Oven, and Some Projects~*

I found Tyson like this today. I didn't stage it. He was curled up on the pillows with a blanket over him.

Beagles get themselves into the most ridiculous positions.

Here's Jeremiah. How could I leave him out?

My vintage 1940's toy stove. I had to work hard to find it, but I finally did! I purchased some Bar Keeper's Friend to scrub it up a bit, but I really like it. Very Sugar Pie Farmhouse!

Just missing a burner. I don't care about missing burners with a $4.95 price tag, especially when I see some going for $50.00.

A cookie jar I made for Ares. I didn't do a very good job on it. I don't care though...for now. There was a neat little bone painting on that white stripe, but it didn't look good to me. So I painted a big white stripe.

Here's his cookie jar with his favorite treats...

Molasses-flavored Buddy Biscuits. I love these cookies. They're shaped like gingerbread people. At our local pet store they have a little container of these on the counter and they sell them individually for $0.15 each. I always buy 3, one for each dog. But then I figured out that they were one and the same, and I just bought the big box. These cookies even smell good!


Here's my spice rack. It's not done. I don't like it at all. It needs work. I think it will all end up one solid color, because the two I chose do not work together on this piece.

One other bit of news: I received a letter from the college congratulating me on achieving High Honors. That might not seem like much, especially from a community college, but to me, it is an achievement to be proud of! Take care everyone!

*~In My House Right Now~*

Not a creature is stirring....Not Bob....Nor Ares....Not Yoda....Or even Tyson.... Because they are all trying to find the coolest spot to sleep.

*~I Have A Problem~*

Aside from this problem....

Because Jeremiah would rather wear his peaches than eat them.

But here lies the real problem...


You see these four photo albums? Well, here's the deal. That green one? I started that last September and it's filled with photos, cards and mementos from our wedding last September. That red album in front of it, that was supposed to be for recording the first year of his life. And I take SO many pictures, that it barely made it up to the 5 month mark. So I got that blue album next to it, and guess what? That's full too. And I bought a new album last night to put in some photos I printed out at Walmart, and it is already half-filled. This is a problem! At this rate, we won't have storage space for all of the memories. I'm not a pack rat about much, but I am about photographs, souvenirs, movie tickets and so (I have every single movie ticket stub from every single movie Devan and I have ever been to see). Does anyone else have this addiction? And if so, how do you deal with it? At a rate of 4 albums every 6 months (8 albums a year)...that's too many albums!

*~Petals and Pine Goings On~*

I can't put pictures up right now, because I'm using the camera batteries to run the mouse, and I can't use both with 2 batteries. So, here's a quick update:

• I went to several garage sales today, and found several great outfits for Jeremiah (if I find something nice that he can grow into, I swipe it up pretty quickly, because little boys clothes are extremely difficult to find). I also found a wonderful white glass dish, not sure what it's for, but it's gorgeous and it cost $0.75. Another great find was a turtle sandbox (the shell is a lid) for the backyard. Once I get it all cleaned up I'm going to fill it up with water and use it as a Jeremiah pool. Ares will probably utilize the pool as well. He's such a monster-sized dog, and he gets so HOT! I also found a set of stacking boxes with a farm animal theme and a farm animal book for Jeremiah with pages that you can "pet". We love the touch-and-feel books with the different fabrics.
• I made chicken alfredo and garlic bread for dinner. Lest you think that I truly cooked, the chicken alfredo is from a bag in the freezer section, and the garlic bread is out of a box. It's too hot to cook.
• Jeremiah was NOT a happy boy yesterday. He was a butthead of epic proportions. He refused to take a nap, and he was very grumpy. Today he is back to his little round angel-faced self. I guess he just had an "off" day.
• Devan managed to con me into allowing him to open two of his three Father's Day gifts early. He now has a tent and a Coleman lantern. The third is NOT being opened until Sunday under ANY circumstances!
• Sunday is another hillclimb. I can't wait! Last year we were only able to attend one and I was so miserable and pregnant that it wasn't much fun for me. So this year should be a blast! We're bringing a canopy and chairs this year to make our own shade, and we'll probably grill some burgers or brats. It should be a blast!
• Not much else to report! I hope everyone is having a good week, and it's almost the weekend!