Off to the Mid West..just a gals trip

I started a post just before we, my little ladies and I, jumped on the plane and headed to the Mid West.  WHY THE MID WEST??? Pretty sure that is what you are thinking.  That is what everyone says when I tell them that I planned on taking my gals to see my family in Arkansas and Missouri for 14 days with out my husband. Don't judge a book by it's cover! Mid West is a wonderful place.  Oh, back to why I started the post before the trip and never finished.  Well, I wrote a fabulous blog and my computer crashed before I posted it...never to be retrieved.  So here I am on day 6 of our adventure.  By the way, if your wondering where my other half is, someone has to work and pay for this trip right? Sadly, he is tied up working extra hard for us ladies to have an extra special time with our favorite peeps, in hopes to take time off when we get back.

The day before the trip,  we skipped town early just to relax at hotel near the airport.  Dad was able to take us to dinner and drop us at the airport early the next morning.  Thought that would really help out, as our airport is 1.5 hours away.  Well, with 4 girls getting ready and heading out of California, still took us too long and ended up running to the terminal just in the nick of time. Literally had to beg everyone in the security line to give us "cuts"or we would have missed the plane.




Day 1: Very excited gals..off to Arkansas

A little stop at an Amish bakery for some pastries....YUM! Loved my gals seeing the Amish teenagers running the bakery.  EYE OPENER :)

And we landed at the Lake to camp for the next two nights.  Uncle Bryan met us there and took us gals out for an evening ride around the lake. The most beautiful lake I have ever been on.  70 miles of glass like water with gorgeous green foliage that surrounds it.  I think we might have seen 3 other boats on the lake that night.  AMAZING!

 Uncle Bry gave each girl driving lessons!

FREEDOM!!!

 What a great day we had.  The evening ended with grandma's pasta along the waters edge and a wonderful nights sleep.  Well, until the girl's air mattress deflated.  Just a small glitch.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Cherry O Baby!!!

Delaney Turns 5...moves onto Kinder....Time to Celebrate with Old Fashion Fun and Some Sweet Cherries!!




This little gal turned 5 and...well...she wanted a Cherry Birthday. OK, truth be told, Mama kinda talked her into it...Have you seen all the darling Cherry goodies out there??


She was easily encouraged to have great friends over for great times and sweet treats!!

 Delaney started the celebration on her REAL birthday, family usually celebrates on the actual day with dinner of choice and homemade cake! A few gifts follow....

Her first American Doll, Kirsten (she joins  KatieGrace's and Allie's historic dolls...family complete)

Onto Cherries..........

 Meet me under my Cherry Tree!!

The invites were delivered in the brown paper bag, tied with baking twine.

We had small wooden crates filled with cherry suckers and gummies.

The sign on the picking ladder read: Cherry Picking

We ate vanilla bean cupcakes, topped with chocolate frosting and fresh cherries...yum!

One of the highlights (thank you P is for Party) Homemade Cherry Pie in mason jars.  The kids looooved this project and were able to take them home. The were actually wonderfully good!!

We added lattice to the top of our pies before closing the lid...

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 What's a party without a little face painting?? Cherries for everyone!!

 Homemade cherry snowcones.....

 Thanks sissy for running the snowcone booth...you rock!

 Who can pin the cherry on the sundae??...and...the Birthday Girl nailed it!!

Time for Cherry Picking (red bags filled fill several cherry flavored candies)!! 

Homemade Tissue Cherries, hung from branches on the tree...

 Some were able to jump high enough to pick their own cherries..
                        ....some needed a little lift.

  

All were smiling when she blew out her candle and they devoured the cupcakes....

What a fabulous party...tons of fun!!!

Onto graduation!!!

She is a sweet, spunky, beautiful and a smart little lady!

She graduated and is promoted to kindergarten...who can stand it? really ...I can't wrap myself around it..

   

We are all here to support and love her each and every step of the way...Most of you know, once school starts, there is no turning back.  It is the beginning of new challenges, exciting moments and great experiences. Congrats my little lovely lady you are well prepared.

xoxo Molly

An Easter Celebration and a nightstand update

I Love Easter and the reason we celebrate...the resurrection.

Easter Break...Groveland, CA

We started our Celebration with about a BILLION eggs to decorate, thanks Grandma!

This was one of my favorite parts of the Celebration. We got a knock at the door, the night before Easter. As we all ran to the front of the house, we heard a car honk.  Weird....we ran outside only to find our house decorated.  This banner was set up, the lanters were lit and we were in ahhh. What a beautiful way to start our Easter Celebration. I wish I could have left it up all Summer.  We felt so special..

 We had baked breads, spring salads, casseroles and beautiful pastries...

  

 

 All those eggs, I think we counted over 200...had to be hidden so the games could begin.

Gettin on the game face

 

 1..2...3..GO!!!

 Even the matriarch of the family was in on it...we love our Nana!

Ok, in terms of the nightstand...This weekend = End Result

xoxox Molly

My Birthday treat and no I am NOT 40

So, as much as I would like to take credit for this (attached blog),...I can't-BUT, my good friend Ada can :) She spoiled me for my Birthday and just looky look at what she had in store for me :)

I was a little late but we got there JUST in time!

                Love the Grande Entry

Tolan, Myself and Ada

                                                      
                                             Found my favorite Chardonnay of the evening

and my favorite champagne...mmmmm

                    Had no idea I was amongst some the biggest Legends of the Culinary world...no clue, thank you Ada for the education!

and here is her beautiful blog.......(side note...will get to the nightstand soon)

Life as a Chef's Wife: Sunday of Pebble Beach Food & Wine Event.: "This is going to go a bit backward... mostly because I didn't lug my big ol camera thru Opening Night. note to self: get those! And becaus..."

nightstand re do

Before....in progress, cant wait to reveal.  This was taken from my phone and sent via droid, hope to have that figured out by the time I'm done with the RE- do :)

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Just can't get enough coups!

 Le Coupe

So here we have it! Coupe number 2.  Not sure why I have a fascination with chicken coups.  Strange...huh????  Well, I guess I can blame it on my mama.  She was the chicken 4-H leader while I grew up in our small little country town.

But the deal is...I have no chickens.  My thought is, maybe I get 3 little chics for my 3 little gals and surprise them on Easter morning OR do I cover it it in Shabby Chic fabric and make a play house out of it? wait, no...maybe I put a few love birds in it?? 

Ideas welcome!!!!!! (free the dog, first on my list)