I Heart Trader Joe's

If you know me at all, you know that I love to shop at Trader Joe's.

I love their unique and healthy food, their friendly workers, and the cheerful atmosphere in the store.

It just makes grocery shopping . . . fun.

(and their prices are reasonable, too!!)

Here are a few of my latest finds:

Fresh basil . . .

isn't it pretty??

Sparkling Berry Lemonade . . .

perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.

Fresh peaches . . .

don't you just love how they are packaged?? They are soooo fresh. The kids LOVE them.

(so do I)

Blueberries!!! . . .

so many of them for not so much $$

(these didn't last long)

Sweet Potato Fries . . .

these were delicious with grilled steaks!

I always try to find something new to love at Trader Joe's and I am always successful. I love that store!

More Baseball Fun

Jake's team won tonight!!

They played a team that absolutely creamed them two days ago. This time we almost slaughter-ruled them!

What a difference a couple of days make!! :)

These sisters of the players get a lot of time to play together during the games. :) I'm thankful that they have each other. (they play with Luke as well) They are supposed to have a game at 9 in the morning tomorrow, but unfortunately, it is supposed to rain tonight and in the morning.

It's too bad, because we are ready to play after a great win!!

Yummy Granola Recipe

I got this recipe from my friend, Polly, at www.YogaIsYummy.net . I make it at least 3 times a week. We use it as cereal and we also like to make yogurt parfaits with it.

Yumm!!

1 tbsp salted butter

1/3 cup peanut butter OR almond butter

1/3 cup honey

tsp vanilla

3 cups thick cut oats

Melt first 4 ingredients til smooth. Mix with oats. Bake at 375* for about 10 - 15 minutes. (I bake it for about 10, stirring after 5 minutes so it doesn't get too brown.)

Wheaton Saints Win!!

Jake's team WON two games in a row!!

He is #2, second row center, with his hands on his hips.

You go, Jake!!

Paper Clutter

A couple of weeks ago, my mom helped me go through a TON of my paperwork. (thanks, Mom!!)

For some reason, this is one of my biggest areas that I need help with. This morning I read this in one of the blogs I follow (http://www.centsationalgirl.com/) :

“Paper clutter causes stress because our paper represents things we need to do (such as pay the bills) or things we may want to do (use this coupon to get a new pair of shoes) or things we think we should do (donate money to the Heart Association) or things we’d like to do (read about the plight of the honey bee and figure out what we can to help) or things we want to remember (this ticket stub because the circus was so much fun).

Therefore, each piece of paper has a sense of obligation associated with it. A stack of paper nags at you, “You should be doing something about me…” which makes it very difficult to relax or even work in a focused manner when you’re in a room piled high with stacks of paper.”

I agree!!

That's my problem!!

There is an online workshop available to help me solve my constant paperwork problem here.

I'm trying to figure out if I am going to take it!

I'll let you know!!

* * * * *

Aren't these roses pretty? I picked them from my garden.

I just love having free flowers all summer!

:)

Caroline's Butterflies

Caroline was one happy little girl when she saw this box on our doorstep!
She ordered 10 caterpillars from California and waited patiently for two whole weeks for them to arrive.

I wonder what the mailman thought.

:)

Then she waited patiently for them to turn into chrysalids. (I had never heard that term before these came in the mail . . . I always thought it was chrysalis's . . . I think both are correct)

Anyway . . .as soon as they all turned into chrysalids, we attached them to her butterfly tent.

In about 10 days, they all began to hatch!! ALL of them!! How wonderful! They were Painted Lady butterflies.

Caroline enjoyed taking them out to "play", then she let them go (one each day).

It was really a great experience to watch the miracle of metamorphosis. God is amazing . . . to be able to change an ugly caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly like that. Just think of what he can do with us, if we let Him.

:)

Caroline's Cast

Caroline is doing really well with her cast. Thank goodness it is waterproof!

What a blessing!!

I think I am doing pretty well with my 30 day "No Mumblin, No Grumblin" challenge. (Today is Day 4 already)

Life is so much better when I try to focus on the positive instead of the negative . . . try it, you'll like it!

:)