The County Fair!

Yesterday we took the kiddo to the county fair! I haven't been to one in AGES, so it was pretty awesome to go and even re-live some childhood memories again. I couldn't believe that they still had some of the same types of rides from when I was a child! I got my funnel cake "fix" that I had been craving ever since Fourth of July and all in all we had a GREAT time! Here's some of the pics...

The kiddo and her "favorite" horse... a pretty mare named "Heavens Night".

What pure fun looks likes! She even made a friend while standing in line.

My favorite part of the fair... of course LOL!

Merry-Go-Round!

A fun classic!

She liked it so much she did it twice!

Anyone else remember this one too?

The kiddo and her daddy on the Ferris Wheel!

Up, up and away we go!

My sillies! :)

So... how's your summer been treating you?!? As you can see from the picture above... this is pretty much how we've been spending our "Dog Day's" of summer... ;). But when were not lounging around the house we've been hiking in the woods at a local park, taking swim classes and getting ready for school to start again in September. Yes, the kids here in Virginia (at least in our county) go back AFTER labor day... and it has made for a VERY long summer. Especially for a kiddo who really enjoys going to school and seeing her friends.

In the mean time she has been doing GREAT in swim class, and is making friends along the way there too. She graduated from the first level last week and now she is in a level 2 class. Graduating level 1 means that she can now properly hold her breath while going underwater and swimming back and forth to the instructor while breathing properly, in a very short distance. I am so proud of her and most importantly, a LOT less scared of her being near a deep pool.

My little fish right after she got to ring her graduation bell :)

Such a proud mommy moment :) 

Last weekend we took a walk in the woods! We have this really amazing park that is just down the road from our house, it was an old farm and now the county has turned it into a wilderness park. What's really great about it is, that you are in the city but once you get on the trails you really do feel like you are in the middle of no where! It has a fantastic area to overlook the Potomac River, which we didn't get to actually see this time since we were on a different trail. Although, I plan to go back as soon as the leave start to change color, I would love to get a great shot of the river in all the fall foliage! Here's a few pics from our hike...

The carriage house built in the 1800's

The grain house where the stored their food from the harvests.

The old well house.

The munchkin and her daddy on the trail.

Just below and through the trees you can see the Potomac River.

This weekend I am doing something pretty daring... I am submitting my art/photography in a local art show!!! I haven't submitted any art since probably my high school days. I am pretty nervous about it... of course I am my own worst critic but, people tell me they like my stuff and my hubby sorta told I should... so here goes nothing! I submit it tomorrow and then the show is next weekend. First prize for best in show gets $1,000, second gets $500.00, third gets $300.00 and 14 honorable mentions get $200.00. I figure what do I have to lose right? I'll be submitting a painting I've done recently and a photograph I took last year while visiting a local farm.

Little Fish Goes to Swim School

Yes, that's right we've signed up the kiddo for swim classes for the summer and possibly the rest of the year. She does know how to swim quite a bit already but we would like for her to learn the proper way with all the great techniques and everything. See... Daddy was on swim team for most of his adolescence and well... the apple does not fall far from the tree in this family. The munchkin has ALWAYS loved the water ever since she was little and takes to it quite naturally so we figured this would be an extra fun "sport" she might like to try... Daddy is hoping this might actually lead to real swim team next year and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it did. We have done; Soccer, Tae Kwon Do, and now we can officially add Swimming to her growing list of sports.

She started her first lesson yesterday afternoon and will continue to go every week on Tuesdays. In her first class she learned to swim underwater holding her breath and without holding her nose! It was awesome! There are 3 other kids in her class, which is a nice small group to work with and so far she LOVES her coach!!!

Other than that we are just getting through the summer, we've been painting for fun and taken day trips around the nearby cities. Fourth of July was also great, we spent our first fourth at Ida Lee Park here in Leesburg and hung out on the green listening to a great band and watching the fireworks. :)

Book Review: Dead Ever After By: Charlaine Harris *WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS*

After the terrible events of the past weeks, both Sookie and Sam are finding it hard to concentrate on Merlott's and the bar is suffering for it. But Sookie finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. 

Sookie's relationship with Eric Northman is in limbo. He and his vampires are keeping their distance... and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated. 

Then Arlene is found murdered, and Sookie is arrested for the crime. But the evidence against her is weak, and Sookie makes bail. Helped by her assortment of friends, living and undead, she must discover the truth about Arlene's death to clear herself of suspicion. All she knows is that two mysterious men were somehow involved. As to whom they might be Sookie will soon learn that she has more than one enemy waiting to get vengeance for the past. 

Nothing is ever clear cut in Bon Temps. What passes for truth is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough... 

Disappointing is an understatement. This time the writing from Charlaine Harris seems detached and distant, it feels like she really had to dig deep and try hard to finish this series. The writing almost makes you believe that is was written in sections, the flow is not consistent and very choppy. Sookie also seems very jaded and everyone in Bon Temps seems different, it's definitely not the series I fell in love with and couldn't wait to read book after book.  I am also annoyed with the ending, not because of Sookie choosing Sam over Eric but because a lot of it didn't make sense. What about the contract written in blood? Charlaine never really does explain who the "devil" is... my guess is she is referring to Claude and the way he is scarred and burned?

And then Sookie sends Barry to live with Sams mom? FTW??? I get that she can't live with another telepath but still? That seems like a poor way to write off a character. I am thoroughly confused and left hurt with such a pitiful ending to my once beloved favorite series. The only consultation I feel I received is that I had the opportunity to read about most of my favorite characters just one last time. I am happy that in the end Sookie is with Sam, I understand that Eric and her would have never worked out, but I still feel cheated out of what had the potential to be a good book and a end to a great series.

Southern Fried Crafts

Slowly but surely I have been trying to fill up this great big house with dust collectors stuff decor ;)
And slowly but surely it's coming along. I know what kind of theme I want in each room it's just taking more time than I would like to get it all there. Lately I have been crafting up a few things for my living room, which has a "Southern" theme to it. It's my tribute to home... I grew up hunting with my uncles, fishing with my daddy and loving my grandma's fried chicken, cornbread and sweet tea, I am a true Southerner at heart and I cannot deny that lol. Even though Virginia is still considered "South" don't tell that to the people who live around here, they emphasize the "Northern" in Northern Virginia every chance they get... we are truly more North than South and it shows when I let my "Hey Ya'll" or "Fixin to" slip every now and then. So in while living in a world of Northern exposure and diversity this is my little piece of home. I keep it classy though... think pearls and vintage lace verses beer cans and rebel flags... again big difference between "Southern" and "Redneckin".

I think you've seen the fireplace before with it's latest updates of magnolias and our family sign gracing the mantel. I have now added to it a little bit to the corner and floor since it will still looking bare. I am still looking for something to put on the wall, and I've got my eye set on a Fleur De Lis painting at Kirklands...but I'll have to wait till that sucker goes on sale. In the mean time... here's what I've added to the fireplace area.

I found the "vintage" milk can on sale at 75% off at Joann Fabric's, where I also bought the Rose and lace to tie around the base. I found the sprig of cotton at Target and just decided to tie it all together. I had to cut the bottom of the cotton sprig down a little so it would fit into the milk can but nothing a hack saw couldn't handle... I love the fact that I can be in the garage using the hack saw on something like a flower sprig and my hubby won't even bat an eyelash anymore LOL! I am still debating on or  getting some of those battery operated light up branches to mix in this as well or not... what do you think? Add or no?

My other addition to the living room is a sign I've made with all things "Southern" on it... again little reminders of home...

Again, I think this style would be cute for just about any kind of sign. Most of the other signs and designs in the living room are in black and white and I've always been real fond of the "chalk board" look... so again here, I just bought some craft wood from Michaels, the letter S and the Fleur De Lis is also from Michaels. I spray painted both black and then distressed them with a paint scraper (a lot easier than sanding) I then used a paint pen to write the words on it. And I promise... it's not crooked on the wall like that it's just the picture I took of it is crooked LOL!

So what do you think so far? I am no where near done but it sadly I know it will take time... and patients is definitely not one of my best virtues LOL!

Please excuse the mess I've made...

I don't know how all my pictures have disappeared but I am now working on getting them back... in the mean time please excuse the mess! :)

Book Review: Hex on the Ex by Rochelle Staab

At a Dodgers game to celebrate her father's birthday, Liz's evening out with Nick and her family is a welcome break from renovating her new home. But there are a couple of people in the stadium she'd like to forget: her two-timing ex-friend in the stands, and her ex-husband, star relief pitcher Jarret, in the dugout. 

All hell breaks loose when Jarret violates an old baseball superstition on his way to the mound, a game changer triggering a discouraging loss on the field and later a horrific murder-with Liz on deck as the prime suspect... 

 As usual Rochelle Staab leaves me happily content with her latest book in her "A Mind for Murder" series. I am a huge fan of this series and grow more fond of it with each book. "Hex on the Ex" has a great and intense plot, it also has its usual zany and loveable cast of characters from her previous books with a few new additions. In "Hex on the Ex" Murder strikes in a form from the past, and the heat is turned up on Dr. Liz Cooper when her Ex husband Jarret throws suspicion her way to cover his own assets--as if dealing with Jarret and his self absorbed and ego inflated demeanor wasn't enough already. Thank goodness for Nick and the rest of Liz's team backing in her corner... because newly minted LAPD detective of the Laurel Canyon department; Carla Pratt is hot on her tail to pin this hex of a murder on her! One this is for sure... there is more than one "blast from the past" in this book and you'll enjoy finding out just which one it is! 

Our Summer Reading List!

Our read together stack.

 It's that time again... the days are hot and long and the kiddo is out of school (finally!) and we are kicking off our summer reading with a big bang! I am hoping to get through most of these books that I have on our list at least by mid July, early August. The kiddo doesn't have to go back to school till the first week in September, which to me seems like a long time for summer but apparently it's pretty normal up here lol! I am thankful for her improved reading skills this year, it seems ever since we've moved up here her reading has become ten times better than it was when we lived in Biloxi. I praise her school for that of course, they have 100 times more patients with the kids, they give them realistic goals to achieve and praise the kids ever step of the way no matter how small of a step it is. She has truly enjoyed her new school and enjoyed reading again.

Her stack of read all by myself books. That I will add to a little at a time.

 I have divided her stack of books into two categories this summer; one stack is for her to read by herself or with minimal help and the other is for us to read together. I love the fact that she is wanting to read on her own, she still comes to me whenever she gets stuck on a word but for the most part she can get through the 2 year readers all by herself! I am also excited to share some of my favorites with her from when I was a kid like; the goosebumps series (shes recently become obsessed with the tv show since its now on netflix) and the boxcar children a classic I adored! We've also got a few new ones we've picked on sale at Barnes and Nobles to add to our growing library, like "The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop" which is about two kids who make candy as a superhero power in London England... even I'm excited to read this one! And also, "Catch the Bouquet" the first in the English Roses series written by Madonna!

And a few of my own for some summer reading :)

I also have a few stacks of books to get through before the summer ends which of course are my favorite mysteries, there have been so many new ones coming out lately I have a hard time keeping up with them all! What are you and your kiddos reading this summer? I would love to hear your suggestions also! :)

It's all coming together...

So finally I can say we are unpacked... I've got about 90% of the boxes either by the road or bundled up for when recycling day comes. I can't tell you how great it feels to finally have the clutter cleared out and feel more like we are actually living in this house now! We had our first "dinner party" last weekend. The hubs's best friend came over with his two sweet girls and he made a beautiful "welcome home" dinner! We had a juicy roasted chicken with roasted veggies smothered in rosemary and tyme and some buttery corn on the cob. We also did "make your own sundaes" for dessert which the girls LOVED! We set up a buffet of toppings along our counters with everything from gummie worm, hot fudge and caramel to marshmallows, M&M's to strawberry syrup! Oh my was it incredible and we all felt fat and happy afterward LOL! This week my in-laws are coming in from Florida along with my bro-in-law, he has spent the last four years stationed in Germany so it's been a while since we've seen him... so we can't wait! Along with all that hubby has his first pen testing assesement to go to next week and the kiddo is finally getting out of school for the summer on Thursday. My classes are starting this week for college (if my financial aid office can get their crap together... but that's a whole other rant) so it's been exciting and I have a feeling it's going to get even more as the summer kicks off! In the mean time here's some pics I've take of the house to show you how "it's all coming together" ;) Hope you all are having a fabulous week!

One of our most favorite parts of the house... our "movie theater" room! It's in the basement and we've set up the projector to watch movies on, I've even set up the old microwave for popcorn and all!

I had to find the BIGGEST bowl for hubbies popcorn addiction and well... the rest of the bows... they are for the rest of us LOL!

I have to say I LOVE Kirklands for having all the movie decor I bought for the room on sale for half off!

I just love these signs!

Ok, well this one is from Bed Bath and Beyond but hey it was $4.99 and I couldn't pass that up!

In the middle right where the folding chair is sitting is where the tv will eventually go on the wall...

And EVENTUALLY we will have some nice movie theater style seats down here too...

HAHA! Ace's favorite spot in the house... in the dining room where the sun shines bright and he can nap!

The "Library"... or Jess's room... or whatever you pretty much want to call it... it's where I've hung my paintings, my trinkets from around the world and all my awesome books!

Don't you just love the transome windows?! I know more about colonial architecture now that I ever did before owning this house LOL!

Yes that is my hubs face in the corner and I so badly want to write with a dry erase marker "I don't often read books, but when I do they are computer related" because that is his Dos Equis  man quote for sure! LOL!

There is a space at the bottom for my Virginia state board, I just have yet to make it... but I seriously love this room!

And because a part of my heart is still somewhere in New Orleans... and I think it always will be. I miss that city...

I just love how the light is in this room... I almost don't want to put up permanent blinds...

My fireplace and mantel I love all the subtle colonial revival details put into this house. It makes all the difference and can make you learn to appreciate architecture.

A more close up picture of the mantel with its dentil trim around it.

I found this little bird and cage at michaels and just had to have it! And yes that picture is real... it's of my grandparents in 1941, standing in front of the very first house they bought together in Johnstown Pennsylvania.

And for my love of the South... my beautiful Magnolia arrangement, my antique candle holder, and a picture of my Great Aunt Evelyn (My Grandma's sister) in 1933 in Norton Virginia (where she grew up).