Wildflower Hike

We joined Mary over at Mt Falcon Park last week for a fun hike. I can't believe we've never been there before since it's not that far away from our house. We're having a great year for wildflowers since we're getting so much rain this summer. I carried Tessie in her front carrier and Sammy claimed that his empty backpack was too heavy, but we persevered and identified several wildflowers. If you look closely, you'll notice all kinds of things!

For MaryG

MaryG, Tess is finally big enough to wear your present! I never thought she would get so big so quickly. Thank you again for knitting this for her.

Your brothers wanted you to have this...

when you were old enough.

13 on the 13th

Today is my 13th wedding anniversary and I'm home after having a nice unhurried dinner with my husband. I took my time and I didn't have to cut up any food into little bites today. That's a pretty big treat right there.

I got up this morning and did the things I normally do. I made breakfast for the boys (oatmeal with brown sugar and cream), I balanced the checkbook (to the penny) and I washed the dishes.
Then, Stephanie called me and asked if I wanted to have lunch with her and her girls in Evergreen. So, we did and I did not have to make lunches (peanut butter sandwiches) today. As I was eating lunch, I remembered that Steph was my maid of honor (I didn't actually forget. I guess I was marveling about how different our lives are now, being mommies, but we're still doing so many things together) at my wedding and I guess now, I take it for-granted that we are next-door neighbors and we see each other nearly every day. I know that's a rare thing.

Overall, my day was rather routine until I went out to dinner with just Paul. It's so rare these days that we are alone and I savored just us as a couple, but of course, we talked about the kids (a lot). That's the happy life we've created.

We ended the evening with our annual ritual of sharing a slice of a delicious carrot cake since our wedding cake was carrot cake.

Here's to another wonderful year!

My first hat

This hat is too big for Tess, but she's just modeling it for me.

Strawberry Girl

Celebrating the 4th

Happy Independence Day!

7 Months

Look who's 7 months today! Here's Luke with his favorite little sister. They're going to be great friends.

All things Austen

Am I crazy? I don't really need another reading challenge, but it's hard to pass up an Austen-themed challenge. I wish the challenge started a few weeks ago because then I could include the top two books on my list. I recently read Enthusiasm and Jane Austen Ruined My Life, which I really didn't like all that much I might add, but I tend to read anything Jane Austen related. Anyway, so far, I have five Austen-themed books and/0r movies on the list. It won't be difficult to find a sixth. I admit that I've seen Bride and Prejudice many times, but I love it. It's like Grease meets Pride and Prejudice and it's just so much fun. I realize that I had posted about Austenland by Shannon Hale a while back, but I didn't get around to reading it then. So, it's on the list now. I have a couple of ideas for my sixth selection and I'll post it later.

Summer cook book giveaway winners!

Thanks to everyone who dropped by to leave a comment. I forgot that my blog posts feed to my Facebook page and people can comment there as well. So, here are my winners:

1. Love2Learn mom- You requested Born to Grill and it will be on it's way once you email me your address.

2. Alice Cantrell - Thanks for saying hello. I'm sending you the Dutch Oven Cookbook.

3. Elvira Frantz- I didn't really think people noticed my blogfeed on Facebook. Anyway, I have your address. You requested Food to live By and it's yours.

4. My 4th commenter was Renee G. and you will get Young and Hungry!

Please email me your mailing address at cmliffengren AT gmail DOT com.

I rustled around my cook book shelves once more and found one more to give away! It's the Best of Martha Stewart Living Favorite Comfort Food. The first comment here or Facebook wins this one!!!

Summer cook book giveaway!

It's time for a cook book giveaway! I'm clearing some space on my cook book shelves. Here's a few books that I just don't use. Maybe you can. Leave me a comment and the first 4 commenters will receive one of these books! Happy Summer!

The first commenter gets to choose the book they want! Drop by and say hello.