Coconut Craze!

You've probably heard that your tastes change as you age.  I'm living proof.  While not a fan of coconut growing up, I have discovered just how wonderful it really is.  I've always enjoyed the scent, because it reminded me of suntan oil and summer time, but the taste was something different all together.  On the advice of my niece (thanks LisaDawn) I tried the Limited Edition Coconut M&M's and they're incredible.  Read on for me coconutty goodness :)

Delicious milk chocolate with a hint of coconut.  YUM!!!

I tried a sample of Starbuck's Mocha-Coconut Frappuccino and was instantly addicted.  I would have never paid to try it, so the sample was the perfect bait to get me hooked!

This scent came out last summer and I immediately adored the Berry, but was a bit apprehensive about the coconut.  When Bath & Body Works put the minis on sale for $1 I figured I had nothing to lose, and discovered I had everything to gain.  The coconut vanilla is warm, light and absolutely amazing and I can't get enough of it!

Cory's 40th Birthday Celebration!

On Monday, the 23rd, Cory will officially celebrate his 40th birthday.  But we've spent the whole weekend having friends and family over in honor of his big day.  He wasn't big on the idea of an all black "over the hill" party, so I decided on a camo party to commemorate his renewed love of hunting!

Cory and my mom were the only ones I could get to look at me for this picture!

Autumn and Emily!

Mom, dad, Kelly, Rob and Jeff!

Becky and Daniel!

The kids' table.....opening their treat bags!

Clockwise from top......Luke, Autumn, Emily, Cayla, Mark, James and Daniel!

Cory and his birthday pie - Marionberry!

After dinner (Pizza Hut! Did you really think I was cooking for 20? :)  Dr. Rob sat around and told us gross med-school stories :)

Even the ice bucket and cups got dressed up to celebrate :)

Two of my favorite people!  Cory and Autumn in their camo gear!

Thanks Poppy Jim for the '50's era duck decoys!

Kids' table pre-party!

Kids' table centerpiece!

My Autumn!

Camo cupcakes!

Thank goodness for camo-colored candy :)

"Hunting" dog - ha ha ha ha ha!

Autumn loving on Chuck Chuck!

Cory's camo jackets came in quite handy for decorating!

Thanks Aunt Lisa for the wallies, the pop-gun and the various decor you so generously loaned us!  A few yards of fabric, some shotgun shells and several vintage decoys strategically placed, added ambiance.  Can you use the word 'ambiance' in conjunction with a hunting party?!  :)

A little more decor!

The camouflage scrap-booking paper fit perfectly over my print of 1 Cor. 13.  It almost looks framed :)

Wallies in the window!

Still more decor!

Targets doubled as wall decoration!

Deer antlers displayed on burlap.  Chuck was VERY interested in these!

Poppy's goose decoy goes for a swim on the backporch in the wading pool!

Scrap booking stickers turned plain brown napkins and cups into camo-appropriate decoration!

Saturday in the Park!

Sleeper Bag!

Wow!  A Mother's Day post yesterday and now ANOTHER post today?  What is this world coming to?  If I post again tonight, call the authorities, it means my blog's been hijacked :)

So, my mom, ever the quintessential southern belle, introduced me to the sleeper bag.....years ago.  And while it never 'took' with me, I do have my Kate Spade purse in a sleeper bag (because it came with one) and I have occasionally employed one to transport shoes without being too obvious!

The bag below is a 'happy' for my mother; it's a sleeper bag for shoes.

The bag is made of a polyester fabric, lined with nylon and has a hidden drawstring.  It's completely washable, and holds everything from dainty sandals, to bulky tennis shoes.

I hope you like it mom!

Bag with string drawn!

Bag with drawstring hidden!

Bag inverted, so my mom can see what the lining looks like :)

Mother's Day!

Mother's Day 2011 has turned out to be, quite possibly, the best holiday of the year.  Not just for myself, but in celebrating with my mother, mother-in-law, and sister - three of my all time favorite moms.  On Thursday, my sister and I piled the kids into the car right after co-op and jetted down to our mom and dad's house for a whirlwind Mother's Day Extravaganza.  While Kelly watched the younger children and my dad did whatever dad's do, Lisa and I whisked our mom over to Outback for a couple of their spectacular dinners, then we were off to a few stores for shopping.  Because if you know us at all, you know that no outing is complete without a trip to a store or two, or five.

Friday morning was filled with helping my dad get his truck unstuck (don't ask), watching the kids 'drive' his tractor and deep frying those wonderful little canned biscuit doughnuts....you know the one's I'm talking about!

After presenting my mom with our Mother's Day gifts, we piled back into the car, devoured a quick lunch and headed home.  It was fast, and crazy and wonderful!

Mom and Lisa - don't kill me, it's the only picture that turned out even half way decent.  And hey your eyes are open, so YEA!!!

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On Saturday, we took my mother-in-law her standard Mother's Day fare....pansies.  She adores pansies, and spending a sunny afternoon planting them is half the fun.  This year is a double bonus for her because she recently retired, so she can pick any day this week and enjoy planting, instead of having to 'hurry' and get them in the ground before returning to work Monday morning.  p.s. I think I'm more excited about her retirement than she is.  I cannot wait to drop by and visit her.....on a Tuesday, at 2:30, for no reason what-so-ever.
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My own Mother's Day included hand selecting my gift.  I know it's shocking, but I chose the purse below.  Yes, it's a Vera Bradley, yes, it's huge, yes, I carried it to church and yes, I love it!  After church, we were seated right away at our favorite restaurant (Azteca), visited the afternoon away with dear friends who accompanied us, and reveled in the fact that it was a slow-paced, relaxing day, devoted to those women who gave us life.

Vera Bradley Stephanie in Totally Turq!  Thanks honey!!!

Thank you mom for choosing to have me, keep me and love me; and thank you Barb for loving me as one of your own.  I LOVE YOU BOTH!  Happy Mother's Day!