Belated Birthday Gifts

July was my beautiful mother's birthday, however, her gift didn't come into season until recently. Yesterday was a cloudy, rainy, summer day. The perfect afternoon for canning. My little guy and I made her Ina Garten's lemon curd and marionberry jam. These are great on toast, scones, pancakes, or in oatmeal. In fact, they are pretty delicious in anything!

Fishing On The Fourth

Each year we spend the fourth of July fishing at Sekiu, WA (pronounced Sea-Q). It's near Forks, WA where the Twilight books are based. I thought I would share a 4:30am morning on the water heading to the fishing grounds. In front of me a beautiful sunrise encouraging a day of great catches. Behind me a sleeping city with a spectacular moon.

 

Father's Day 2015

I can't believe we are celebrating another Father's day. Our little man wants to do everything just like his daddy. He loves to help mow the lawn, wash the car, cut firewood with his toy chainsaw and eat chips on the couch. And I think his Daddy wouldn't have it any other way.

 

We had my folks over for a Father's Day Sunday Supper.

 

We feasted on:

Grilled Salmon

Succotash (say it with me: Suck-uh-tash [like dash but with a T])

Bread Puddin'

Little Man Turns TWO!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little man. He is growing so quickly and becoming such the little gentleman. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate his second birthday. For bloopers from this fun day, visit Playdough & Heels' Facebook.

 He was so confused as to why everyone was singing. 

You can't go wrong with a slip and slide!

Mother's Day

This mother's day was fantastic! We spent the weekend with my mom and dad in Port Townsend. We camped in the marina close to town. We spent the morning at the local farmer's market and the afternoon checking out the little shops. We had a delicious locally made goat cheese plate from the farmer's market with local pepper jelly and sourdough bread for happy hour as we watched the sail boats go by.

When we got home on Sunday, my husband and my little boy took me shrimping in the Puget Sound! The water was beautiful and we had a nice afternoon. We even caught 5 shrimp! Not enough for a meal, but they made a delicious appetizer.

For my Mama's Port Townsend Mother's Day dinner I made:

Barbecued chicken breast

Dilly potato salad

Brussels sprout salad

Dessert was a store bought marionberry pie with a locally made vanilla ice cream.

My Boy Turns ONE!

 When my little man turned ONE we had to rearrange his party. I thought I could do it all and execute a large work event and then turn around the next day and throw a baby's first birthday party. My body thought differently. I had to call all our friends and family that morning to tell them I was sick and the party was moved to the next weekend. It all worked out in the end. Little man didn't mind, he got two cakes!

Sweet Southern Bridal Shower

 I had the honor of hosting my dear dear friend Heather's bridal shower before she left for Kentucky where she would be married and reside. My darling friend deserved nothing less than a sweet southern afternoon with her as the focus. 

 When planning a large event my rule of thumb is focus on a few key elements to make the shinning star, so that you aren't burnt out from making everything from scratch. My focus was the trifle, made with layering red velvet cake, whipped cream and meringue cookies on top. I made  Giada De Laurentiis Mini Italian Club Sandwiches (served whole) a head of time as the guests arrived with a light salad. This allowed the desserts to be the shinning star.

 Of course we had to play games! I created a movie love quote game as well as downloaded Jane's Girl Designs' bridal shower game of matching the wedding customs to their original superstitions.

 Games are not complete without a prize! The winners went home with Jolly Rancher vodka. Simply dissolve a handful (10 - 12) single flavor Jolly Ranchers in approx 2 cups vodka for approx an hour and the vodka will take on the flavor of the Jolly Ranchers!

 Each guest signed a heart with well wishes or advice for the soon to be newlyweds that could be displayed as 3D art.

 A southern shower wouldn't be complete without a few chicken guests.