And the camera strap goes to....

We used a very scientific method to conclude this giveaway.

The names were written down. They all went into the Longhorn cap.

My random name-chooser was sure to give the hat a good shake. He closed his eyes, just to make sure it was all on the up-and-up, and he chose....

Congratulations, Stephanie. You have a one-of-a-kind crocheted camera strap coming your way.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a comment. They were all so sweet. I wish I could send one out to all of you...

Who knows? I'm still tweaking the pattern. Another may be up for grabs sometime in the near future.

Stay tuned.

I Had No Idea...

Last week we found a giant slug in the backyard.

The Girl named it Slimy.

The Boy thought Turd was a better moniker.

The Girl wanted nothing to do with Slimy-Turd. She took a quick look from afar and went on her way.

The Boy wanted a hands-on experience. He picked up the slug and let it creep and crawl all over his hands.

After an ample amount of slug-fun, I told The Boy to return Slimy-Turd back to nature. Then he needed to wash his hands real good. With soap. Lots of soap.

He complied.

***loud, panicked yell***

Mom! This slime isn't coming off my hands!

Did you use soap?

Yes! I used soap! Lots of soap! It won't come off!

I gave his hands a second scrubbing.

Sure enough. That slime was not coming off. The water seemed to make it expand.

***very panicked tone***

Is it going to be there forever?

No. I don't think so.

We had to break out the serious stuff: Lava.

After a few minutes of intense scrubbing with the abrasive cleaner, The Boy's hands were again slime-free.

I did a little research, and learned that this is a common occurrence when handling slugs.

I had no idea.

What's For Dinner?

I apologize for the menu delay this week.

The Mr. and I have been enjoying a Staycation. We have spent lazy days sitting in The White Trash Pool, soaking up the sun, while evenings have been spent in establishments where other folks do the cooking, along with the dishes. It has been exquisite.

The Offspring have been indulged with a movie-watching, outside-playing, rubbish-eating filled vacation of their own at Nana and Poppa's house. I've seen pictures of McDonald's visits and gigantic slices of non-whole wheat crust pizza with gobs of pepperoni and cheese. Who knows what other sinful treats they have feasted upon? I have chosen to look the other way.

Little do they know, but kiddie-detox starts upon their arrival home.

And by the time most of you are reading this, we will be reunited. Let the noise level return to normal decibels.

This is what we have on the books for this next week...

Monday: Last day of Staycation; We went out for sushi and both ate ungodly amounts of raw fish. Have mercy.

Tuesday: grilled salmon and shrimp, grilled asparagus, tomato salad, whole wheat bread

Wednesday: grilled chicken, grilled eggplant, Greek salad

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: hamburgers, oven fries

Saturday: pizza margherita, spinach salad

No baking again this week. Unless there is a rainy day, and then we will attempt a strawberry pie. Here is just one amazing example of this sweet treat I found while touring Blog Land. I am truly saving it for "a rainy day". If the sun is out we will stick to melons, Popsicles, and citrus fruits.

What sweet treats are you eating now that summer is in full swing? Has your baking mojo left the building?

Until next week...may you eat well under sunny skies.

Ten On Ten: June

June 10th.

Ten pictures taken over ten hours.

primping

getting better with extra help

biding my time

listening while driving

brewing outdoors

wading

getting lost in a good book

refreshing

cooling off, Popsicle style

uploading old favorites

savoring: vegan tofu fried brown rice

A handful of images captured throughout the day...

This day was a bit different. I was by myself. The Offspring are spending a long weekend with Nana & Poppa.

Mommy and Daddy cheer.

Read more about the Ten On Ten challenge here.

And don't forget to leave a comment for the camera strap giveaway!

Meet you back here in July. If you haven't already, join the club.

It's cool, man.

***Giveaway***

That got your attention, huh?

Good.

But before we get to the giveaway part...

I'm sure all of you out there in Blog Land have drooled over Erin's camera straps at House On Hill Road.

Admit it. You have.

That's OK. I have too.

So I set out to make a strap of my own.

But with a twist.

Instead of fabric, I wanted to see if it was possible to crochet the strap.

It is.

I like the fact that they aren't stiff, yet still have body.

And if the strap gets dirty, you just throw it in the wash. It's made with all cotton yarn.

I'm still tweaking the pattern a bit. These straps are a smidge wider than my original Canon camera strap. But I've worn it out and about and it's not bothersome. At least I didn't think so.

I'm holding on to this one. For now.

But this baby is up for grabs.

All you have to do is leave a comment(here on the blog, facebook peeps) down below. Make sure you have a link to your blog or an email address so I can get in touch with you if you happen to be the chosen one.

I'll leave the comments open through Tuesday evening...let's say 9:00pm central time.

All names will go into a hat and my official name-chooser will draw the lucky winner.

I'll even put your name in twice if you link back to this post in some way. Just let me know when you comment that you've spread the word in Blog Land.

And there you go.

May the force be with you.

A Sweet Memory

It has been raining today. The kind of rain that makes you stay inside and watch movies.

The Offspring agreed upon The Sandlot.

It brought back a sweet memory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was in college, working close to forty hours a week at a gas station and holding down a full class load.

I had just come out of a bad relationship...one of those that strips you of all self-worth. One that makes you cynical. Bitter. Your heart closed tight. Guarded.

In recent weeks I had started seeing a new boy. A boy that made me *really* laugh for the first time in a great while. A boy that would buy me milkshakes. A boy that always needed to fill up his car with gas and get a cold drink when I was working a shift. A boy that saw me for me.

Simple was better. I liked that. The ease of it all.

I was not looking for anything more. I didn't think my heart could handle it.

I had finally moved into my own place. There wasn't much to call my own: A mattress. CD player. A few dishes. I had no TV. No proper furniture. But it was my space and I loved coming home to quiet. Even better, it was all mine.

One night, after working all day and smelling like fried gas station fare, I returned home to my little apartment above the laundromat. And there he was.

Come on...I have a surprise.

What?

You'll see.

Inside, he hooked up his little TV/VCR combo set. With him he had brought a movie, some ice cream, and root beer.

You are going to love this movie. It's the best.

What is it?

The Sandlot.

Isn't that some kids' movie?

Just wait. You'll see.

And there we sat, on my old mattress. On the floor. Drinking root beer floats while watching The Sandlot in the dark. Laughing.

I found it all incredibly romantic in a very unconventional sense. Which, to me, is the best sort of romance.

It was simple. It was easy.

That was the night I knew my heart was ready.

Ready to open.

Ready to love and be loved. Again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note: This nameless boy is not The Mr. But, if not for him, I would not have ended up in the arms of the love I hold today. My gratitude abounds.

...And They Flew

The Girl has been obsessed with all things butterfly since watching the metamorphosis in her class at school.

The Mr., being the good daddy that he is, found her a set-up of her own.

She watched the tiny caterpillars eat and grow. She protected them from getting bumped. She told them good night. She watched as they formed into a chrysalis.

Finally, the day came when they emerged. Five new butterflies! Her butterflies!

There was just one problem: She was scared to death of their flapping wings.

That's what butterflies do. They flap. A lot.

After about four days of refusing to enter her room to get clean panties and sleeping in The Boy's bed, we decided it was time for the big release.

She waved a bittersweet goodbye.

The Boy did the honor of unzipping their little butterfly condo.

They needed a little coaxing. Again, The Boy was more than willing to help.

For, you see, The Girl was watching from afar.

Those flapping wings were just a little too much.

One just might land on her. Or so she rationalized.

We watched as they took one more sip of orange juice.

And waited for the departure.

This poor little guy didn't have the best wings. He was happy to crawl into an open hand.

The Boy offered his...

...and found him a nice leafy branch upon which he could sit.

The Offspring still go to the backyard, trying to spot one of their butterflies.

But alas...they have all flown away.

And the cycle continues.