A Letter To Vivian On Her Third Birthday

To my dear daughter Vivian Rose,


As you’re about to turn three years old, (October 29th) I’ve been thinking about what it’s like to be your mom and how my feelings for you have changed over the past year (the past three years, actually). I want to express my love for you, our relationship and how we’ve evolved up to this point.




I remember the first time I held you - I did have an instant love for you and the urge to protect you. That love quietly faded into the background for nearly the first year of your life though as I dealt with sleepless nights, more than a dozen dirty diapers per day and the constant crying you did which I couldn’t make sense of.





Some mothers will say that they love EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of motherhood. I think those folks are lying. But perhaps they’re not. Maybe some women do love every minute of it, but I wasn’t like them. I haven’t been one of those moms. There have been some very difficult, frustrating moments for me. You, my dear Diva, are often a challenge~!



Don’t misunderstand me -- It’s very easy to love you and be charmed by you. But at times, you can often turn a wonderful moment where we’re laughing and hugging into an incident where we’re crying and throwing tantrums on the floor.



You’re a bit dramatic, if you want to know the truth! You’re often hot then you're cold, you're yes then you're no, you're in then you're out, you're up then you're down (followed by the rest of that annoying Katy Perry song that was overplayed on the radio).



Just when I praise you for being completely potty trained, you surprise me with a waterfall of poop running down your legs while we are at a local park. (Thank goodness there was a community center next door and I had a spare change of clothing!) When you get an idea stuck in your head, there is no turning back! You are often stubborn and impatient (like your father).





Still despite a few shortcomings that you have (and we all have them as humans), you’re positively the most wonderful little girl I know. As infuriating as you can be, you are the best thing about my life that I could ever hope for!



You smile and the whole world around you lights up! You laugh and it’s such a hearty, belly laugh that others hear and start to chuckle too. You laugh and love with your whole heart. Even though you’re a tiny thing, you seem to have emotions and passions of a giant.





You give the best hugs. Hands down! Especially when they are random and running at me at full force. You see the world as your playground and invite me to play along with you, which makes me quite possibly the most fortunate person on the planet.



Your inquisitive nature and reasoning is astounding. You have this focus and determination that could make you a world leader even at the age of three. Although you like to battle us at dinnertime, I know you love foods, especially chocolates and sweets like me.









My dear daughter, you have this desire to learn so badly. I can see it in your eyes. You are so fascinated with the alphabet and the sounds that letters make. I can hardly keep up with your pace. I know I should be teaching you a foreign language or physics right now, if only I weren’t so ignorant of them both. Still, I will always try to teach you about living life to the fullest, being kind, being honest, making choices and chasing bubbles in the wind.





Although our first year together was rough, I always knew we had the potential to be a great mother-daughter. Even though at times I was not sure if I could handle you or if I would ever want another child, I realize now that I want very badly to give you a sibling. I know that you would make a wonderful big sister. And if I’m lucky enough to have another child and have it be a girl, I think I’d want another one just like you because I love who you are and the person you’re becoming!



I never thought I was the stay-at-home mom type, but I see now that as long as I’m staying at home with YOU, then it’s the right place for me at the moment. I’m so thankful to have this opportunity to spend so much time with you because I see how much you enjoy being mommy’s girl right now.





I love how the tiniest things make you go into full on hysterics, like me tilting my head or making animal noises. I love that I’m already embarrassing you with my singing and dancing in the car as you politely told me to “Calm down, mommy. Calm down!” last week!



I love watching you be thoughtful and harsh on your stuffed animals – how you want to potty with them, eat with them, punish them or have them do whatever you are doing. You’re a wonderful companion and friend.





I love how sometimes we can just cuddle in bed or on the couch for minutes or hours. One of my favorite times is first thing in the morning when you crawl into bed with your daddy and me and we can all just lay there as a cozy family.



I remember how when I found out you were a girl, I could NOT stop crying. I was so happy to have this little female to help shape and mold in this wild and crazy world. Little did I know that it would be YOU that would help shape ME~ after all, you make me want to be a better person, a better mom and a better friend than I’ve ever been in my entire life!



I may have given you the gift of life (along with your dad Kirk, of course) but you are the one who gives me a better reason to enjoy my life. Each day you continue to give me joy, laughter, entertainment, tears and most of all -- love!




So even though you’re only three years old and won’t understand all these words I’m saying now, someday I hope you’ll get what I mean. Thank you for the gifts you give me. Thank you for being you!   Even though I still can't say that I love every single moment of motherhood, I can say that I do love being YOUR mom!





I love you Vivian Rose, my diva. My baby. My little girl who’s growing up!



All the love in my heart,

Mom (or “Mommy” as you currently call me)

Recognition

Yesterday while my daughter Vivian attended her "Mother's Day Out" program, I planted my butt in a seat inside a Starbucks location and worked for two hours on my cookbook.  I had a $35 gift card in my pocket thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law.  So I enjoyed a Pumpkin Spiced Latte, a spinach eggwhite wrap and a huge chocolate chip cookie while I wrote and edited.   Hey, you can't write a cookbook without enjoying good food, am I right?  

One of the pages that I spent time developing was my "Acknowledgements" sheet - those people in my life that I want to recognize and thank.   A few weeks ago, I had written down the names of family and friends I felt should be included in my book.   Yesterday I put more thought into the names and the people they represent.  I added a line, a comment or an adjective that expresses what these folks mean to me.  But I wonder if it will be enough to show my thanks?

Have you ever stopped to think about all the folks who have helped you along your way?  The wonderful people who have challenged you, encouraged you, inspired you or helped shape you into the person who you are now? 

So often we get caught up in the day to day of life.  I know I do.  We don't take the time to tell someone we care about, "Hey, thanks for those encouraging words today!  You really made me feel better!"  Or when a comrade comes to your rescue, perhaps we should mention our affection at a later time thanking that person again.  Why not double or triple the thanks, even after you've already expressed appreciation on the day the kindness occurred!?

Sometimes recognition may even take forty years to arrive.  That was the case for my dad this week!  My father was honored with a medal on Monday for his military services in the Vietnam War.  Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal presented my dad (along with other veterans) with the award.




My dad "Buddy" (pictured right) receives an honor for services he performed in the Vietnam War nearly forty years after it happened, on October 25, 2010.   Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (pictured left) presents the medal.





I was so disappointed that I could not be there for the ceremony!  I had given my mom specific instructions to elbow her way to the front, even past old ladies if she had to, in order to snap the above picture of my dad receiving his award. 

Although my dad said it wasn't a huge deal to receive the honor and that nearly all veterans from Louisiana were eligible for the award or a similar honor, I'm so very proud of him!  I'm so glad to see my father being recognized for risking his life as a young twenty-something man.  He spent a year fighting a war on foreign soil.   He deserves this honor! 

Doesn't it feel good to be recognized for an achievement?  The best form of flattery can come in an award, even one that arrives decades later for a deed you performed.  There is never a bad time to show appreciation for someone! 

I'm fortunate that I have people in my life who make me feel special on a regular basis.  My husband, for one, is quick to recognize me on a weekly, if not daily basis.  I'm trying to do the same with those who have influenced me, helped me, and cheered me on throughout the years.   I don't want to let forty years go by before I tell my friends how important they are to me.  I hope to randomly pass out my appreciation for loved ones and even strangers who brighten my day!

Please take the time to acknowledge the people in your world who make it meaningful.  Whether you write your own "Acknowledgements" page like I did or just place a phone call to your best pal, mom, cousin, daughter, brother, niece or whoever, just do it.  None of us would be the people we are if we didn't have some help and influence along the way! 

Cheers to all the good folks who deserve to be recognized and to those, like my dad, who are finally receiving the acclamations they deserve!

Guest Post: "Journal Junkie" by Diary of A Chocoholic

Meet one of my newest blogging buddies - Rachel of Diary of A Chocoholic.  She is my final guest writer this month.  Thankfully she came to my rescue to fill in for me one last day this month.  It was just in time too since I developed a sinus infection and an upper respiratory infection over the weekend..... sigh!   A girl like me just can't catch a break I tell ya! 

Anyway, back to the lovely Rachel.  She reminds me of my former self - the artist formerly known as Mandy.... Yet she has more drive and more focus than I ever did.  Plus, Rachel is funny, witty, beautiful and honest.   I like how she shares her dreams with readers.  She makes living in an all-girl college campus seem so much fun too!

Rachel is getting married in December and about to graduate from school.  She's lived abroad and traveled a great deal.  I'm a tiny bit jealous of her life and all she has ahead of her!  I'm thrilled for her too and can't wait to hear more of her adventures. 

Check out Rachel's site where she writes about her chocolate addiction in addition to her love of books, crafts and more!   Today she shares with us her passion for journaling. 


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Hey ya’ll.

I’m Rachel, and I’m a chocoholic. Wait, this isn’t Chocoholics Anonymous?



In that case, I’m Rachel and I’m a journal junkie. As ya’ll know, Mandy is a big list maker, and I am too, but there is something I tend to keep slightly more than lists - notebooks.

Once people learn that I’m a writer, they start buying me notebooks and journals. The first few journals I remember receiving came from my best friends and teachers. Then they begin to come from relatives and neighbors who knew of my love of writing.

Needless to say, I’ve gathered quite the collection of notebooks over the last decade or so. I wrote in black and white composition notebooks when I wanted to feel adventurous like Harriet the Spy, or pretty flowered notebooks when I wanted to be like a princess. In some notebooks I just scribble a few lines or drawings in then I tuck them away.

Lately, I’ve begun to make more use of my collection. I started a journal in June of this year and I am about to start another.



I’ve been keeping a list of books to read in a Pirates of the Caribbean journal that a friend gave me in high school. I’ve covered a few pages in titles. Once I’ve read the novels, I highlight them if I’d like to purchase the book or read it again.  If I don't enjoy the book, I strike through the title in my book journal.

Furthermore, I have a purple-lined notepad that I keep a running to-do list on. Currently, it is two pages long and comprised mostly of wedding related tasks since I'm getting hitched in December.

I also have a green and blue notebook that I use as a food journal whenever I feel my diet has gotten too far off track.  I try to eat lots of fruit and veggies but occasionally go overboard with one too many chocolate chip cookies.  Writing down everything I eat helps me get back on track. The rare occasions that I actually get to cook dinner, I use it as my meal planning notebook.

Two more of my notebooks are used to collect recipes. One I made and the other was a gift from my roommate. My roommate gave me a notebook style cookbook. It lets me enter in pages of my favorite recipes and even categorize them.  The other recipe-related journal, is my “Try Me” notebook.  I use this one to stash various collected ingredients.  Recipes I print or tear out of magazines go in there. Once I try a meal and if I really like them the recipe is moved into the other notebook.



Last but not least, I have my inspiration notebook. It’s a lab notebook given to me by my dad. He thought I would need it when I took Chemistry but I didn’t. So instead of letting it go to waste, I’ve begun to fill it with inspiring quotes, images, lyrics, compliments, advice and Bible verses.  This is my pick-me-up notebook that I refer to when I need to be uplifted.



See? I really am a journal junkie.




(Please ignore the terrible floor)

What about you? Do you journal? Have friends built a collection of things for you?  What kinds of things to you write about or like to keep on file?


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Thanks for admitting you have a problem Rachel! ;-)   Lol.  That is the first step, after all.  Hahaha. 

No seriously, I love your junky ways of journaling.  It's a great memory to create and even an heirloom that you can pass on to your children and grandchildren someday. 

This blog is a bit like my journal but you have given me new ideas that will push me to do even more!  You've inspired me to take journaling to another level.  I love the idea of an inspiration journal -- clipping quotes and verses that speak to me!  Thanks for stopping by and sharing your stories and photos with us.  Everyone be sure to visit Rachel's place and show her some love. 

This completes my guest writers for the month of October.  I hope you've enjoyed hearing from these teriffic bloggers as much as I have!  I will actually be a guest writer on a friend's site very soon.  Then I'll be back in a few days to share a very funny, very sentimental post with you.  Stay tuned! 

Why Do I Feel Like A Virgin?

You're so fine and you're mine
I'll be yours 'till the end of time
'Cause you made me feel
Yeah, you made me feel
I've nothing to hide
Like a virgin
Haven't blogged in such a long time
(I Feel) Like a virgin
As I hit "publish post" 
And make these words all mine.

Like a virgin, ooh, ooh

Feels so good to type
When your words flow, and the rhyme beats, and you love me

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Can't you hear my words speak
Like blogging for the very first time?


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Okay, so I'm exaggerating but I do feel a bit like a lost, nervous teenager as I type this first real blog post in weeks!   What should I write about?  So much is happening!  Where do I begin? 

I'm just going to talk at random and save the intimate details for later.  Here is the most important happenings and the plans on the immediate horizon for me and my life:

(1) Things are well here for the most part.  I'm finally feeling somewhat healthy again after dealing with strep throat for over a week.   Why is it that being sick as an adult seems so much worse than being sick as a child?


(2) I'm making a lot of progress with my cookbook.  I'm 1/3 of the way finished.  I was hoping to have more done by now but I'm cutting myself some slack.  After all, I was sick for over a week.  Then I was busy hosting a brunch at my home.  I've still got another ten days to get the majority of the book done and I usually work well under pressure.  And if I go into November, that's okay.... my goal is to make it available before Christmas so I know I can do it!


(3) I took a day off to go on a Haunted Ghost Story Tour and enjoyed a great lunch with a friend.  I even had the chance to see the insides of a men's room where a spirit supposedly visited!   hahaha  :-)  I'll write details and share a few photos from the tour very soon. 


(4) Last month I also had the opportunity to go on a trolley tour where I learned a lot about my community of Pensacola.  Then a few weeks ago, I spent a day in the French Quarter, New Orleans with Kirk and other family members.  I plan to share photos and a few funny stories about both trips with you soon!


(5) The Diva will officially be three years old next Friday, October 29th.  I can hardly believe it!  That expression about time flying by really does ring true.  I've been thinking a lot about how my relationship with my daughter is changing and how much more I enjoy being a mom than I did when I first became one.  As I gather more thoughts on that, I will share a post on motherhood from my point of view. 


(6) On top of that, I just remembered that I've now been a stay at home mom for a whole year!  Wow!  That means I haven't had a job outside my home in over 365 days!  That is the longest I've gone without receiving a paycheck in over a decade!   I've been reflecting a great deal on that as well.... my attitude about being an at home mom instead of a work outside the home mom.  I can't wait to share my thoughts with you on that either! 


(7) A former boss and friend of mine passed away recently.  He was in a tragic car accident.  I've been thinking about him, his family and just how precious life really is these days as well. 


(8) I am loving all the guest writers who have shared their stories here.  Don't you?  I'm so grateful that they filled in for me.  I have one more guest post that will be coming next week.  Then I'll wrap up the month. 


(9) Vivian has been having diarrhea of the mouth lately!  She is saying new words and full sentences every day now.  She is amazing me with what she is learning.  Yesterday Viv and I spent an entire morning cuddling on the couch.  This is a rare thing for us as the Diva often wants to stay busy and play games instead of hug and lie around.  I just love her so much!  I want to write a letter to her about how incredible she is at three years old and what it's like being her mom.  So I'm working on the right words to my daughter and I might just share some of it here soon as well. 


(10) Halloween is just a week away and I just can't get excited over it yet?!  Maybe it's because I really want to avoid the candy that is passed out by everyone.  I'm hoping that Vivian's "Supergirl" costume from last year still fits her because I dread going to the stores to find something else.  Perhaps I'll be in better spirits to pretend I am a 'walking spirit' in several days?


(11) My parents just returned from a two-week bus trip across the New England states.  They visited New York, Boston, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Tennessee, Maine and other places.  My mom says she has taken over 200 photos and has many interesting stories to share.  I told her that she and my dad will be guest writing for me in November or December to share details on their travel adventures.  So that is something you can look forward to reading in the coming weeks!


(12) Speaking of my parents, my wonderful dad is scheduled to receive a medal this coming Monday.  The medal/certificate or award (not quite sure of all the details just yet) will be given to him by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal for the military services he performed in the Vietnam War.  I'm so very proud of him and wish I could be there for the ceremony!!  I realize that the conflict that occurred in Vietnam causes mixed emotions for many people but my father was drafted into the war and performed his civic duty with honor.  I'm glad to see he's being recognized for that now. 

Well that's all I can think of for now to update you.  Not all totally boring, right?  I had some actual interesting points to share with you today. 


But now I must go.  My time is limited since the Diva is demanding my attention.  Also, I have a draft of my cookbook open on my computer.... so I should get back to work!    I'll be back next week to share more about the above list. 

Have a great weekend! 

Guest Post: "Things I've Learned - Parenting Style" by Chocolate Covered Daydreams

Meet my mentor and friend Simone from the blog Chocolate Covered Daydreams.  I don't exactly remember how I found her wonderful site - I think it was just from another blogger's reel on the side bar.  But I'm so glad I did discover her. 


Simone has become almost like an inner voice in my head - her positive spin on life and her constant upbeat outlook and observations on the little things really keep me going.  She writes about things like bread crusts that make you look at life in a whole new way!   Then Simone also shares real life-altering stories like how she lifted up a truck to help save another woman's (a must read that will make you cry and rejoice~! )

She is a wonderful writer and a beautiful person.  Simone is always sending me encoraging words and pushign me to write more!   I feel so lucky that I know her and can call her my friend.   Please stop by her site to say hello or leave her a warm comment below.  Thank you and enjoy her stories!


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I am so excited to be a guest blogger for Mandy. This is like being invited to be a guest on a talk show except I’m not anyone famous.  

Hi, I’m Simone of the site Chocolate Covered Daydreams.  I am a mommy of two who are now all “growed up”.  On Thursdays, I usually impart 10 things I’ve learned throughout the week or just in general about life. I call it Things I’ve Learned Thursday. But, since I’m guest posting today, I’m going to do a special Things I’ve Learned - Parenting Style.

Before I became a mom, I had huge goals and aspirations. I pictured sewing matching mommy and me dresses and baking bread and having tea parties and a baby that went to sleep without having to be told twice.  Most of those things never happened. Real life happened instead!

Yet here are ten things I've learned about that real world of parenting that have made me a far richer person - woman and mommy - on the inside and out.   These are things I'd like to share with you about my experiences - things I will never forget and would not change for an instant! 

1) I learned that in order to sew a dress for my daughter’s first day in kindergarten, make sure the neckline was cut accurately. I had to almost grease her with Vaseline to get the dress over her head and had to cut it off of her when it was time to remove it. (She sure looked adorable but wore it only one time.)


2) Always encourage your child’s passion and excitement. When I was a kid, my mom didn’t take my desire to draw and paint seriously. She treated it as if it were a passing thing. From the time my twin sis and I scribbled on the walls until now, the passion hasn’t disappeared. Look for talents and abilities that your child may have. When my first one was 2 and had no fear or shyness and loved watching Annie and singing, Tomorrow over and over again, we enrolled her in acting class. She soon had an agent and a manager and auditioned and nailed some pretty great parts. BUT, also listen to when your child says, “Enough.” No matter how much I thought she would want to continue to act, by 6 years old, she had had enough of being in the car and memorizing lines. She just wanted to have fun and be a typical, normal kid.


3) Don’t take your kids out during naptime. Trust me, when you are getting stared at because your child has hit meltdown, it’s only because their patience has run out. Have you ever walked on your knees and saw the view from a kid’s stroller? There’s not much fun or amusement after sitting in a stroller for two hours.


4) I learned that homeschooling my daughters was the best decision I could’ve ever made. I am an advocate for learning. I believe that babies are like sponges and are ready to learn even before they reach school age. By the time my daughter turned 4, she was reading quite well. I taught her the old fashioned way I learned…phonics, then, sight words. When she got to kindergarten, she was already reading at a third grade level. The teacher didn’t have the resources to keep her challenged and also told me more than once that she would just have to wait until the other kids caught up with her. After growing more and more tired of her wearing a different alphabet hat each day, I decided to jump head first into homeschooling. She loved it and her little sister loved going to school right along with her. I knew what kept each of them intrigued and how to challenge them. I also learned never be afraid to say, “I don’t know. Why don’t we find out together?” We went on field trips at home using the computer. We learned how M&Ms were made, what it took to manufacture crayons and so much more.


5) Use your imagination! Kids now don’t really know how to use their imaginations because electronics have really taken over and zapped all of that free creativity. Collect paper towel tubes, old bars of soap, rubber bands, buttons, material, magazines, wood, straws and whatever scraps that can be used for creating and let them have a ball.

My youngest daughter was a taker aparter. By the time she was 4, we would take apart an electrical fan (not the electrical portion) and put all the pieces in front of her and have her put it back together again. Of course, there was plenty of supervising and she knew that she was never allowed to take apart or put anything back together again unless she was given the permission. To this day, she is very mechanical and has decided that one day, she is going to go to school to become an auto mechanic, just because.


6) Open up your kids eyes to other cultures and people of all ages. Even though my girls had grandparents, they knew that there were elderly people that lived in nursing homes that didn’t have grandkids and were sometimes lonely. We adopted a grandma and when they made a card or drew a picture, we went to the nursing home so that they could show their “grandma” and of course, tape their picture to her walls. They would sit and have a snack in the dining area while others ate their snacks too and the elderly loved it!


7) Start your own traditions. Where I lived, usually Halloween was so cold that I seriously didn’t want them out trick or treating and ending up sick. Plus, there was a scare at the time of people poisoning candy so I started a Family Harvest Celebration. The fun part was that I chose the candy that I wanted them to have and my now ex husband and I, hid it all over the house while they stayed in their room in anticipation. Then, they went on their candy hunt, we ate junk food and watched movies together and “officially” lit the fireplace. They looked forward to it every year. As the years went by, we celebrated the harvest celebration the day after Halloween when the candy was 50 – 75% off.


8) Long drives can be actually entertaining when you allow your kids to tell you a story. We took turns telling stories and singing songs or telling jokes. Kids and knock knock jokes never go out of style.


9) The best adventures are those that are free. I knew of a little girl that always wanted to spend time at our house because she was always kept so busy with after school activities she never had the chance just to be at home. Sometimes, just being at home and reading a book, painting, making cookies and playing a game is better than being away from home until late in the evenings.


10) Be a mommy as well as a friend. Too many parents are told that it’s wrong to be “a friend” and that their kids won’t respect them as an authority figure. Wrong! As women, we wear many hats, from nurturer, to cook, to veterinarian, teacher, librarian and housekeeper, but the one that your child will treasure the most is your friendship. Treat your child the way you’d want them to treat you. If you want to be heard, then listen to them. Ask questions and show appreciation when they least expect it. My girls were taught to not ask for anything when we went to the store. I would surprise them and buy them random things for “not asking”. Their faces would light up when I’d put two packages of Skittles on the counter, just because. It gave me joy to give to them because they didn’t ask.



Everything I’ve learned in my life, I’ve learned from being a mom.  What have you learned today?


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Well Simone my friend, I can tell you that I've learned that I want to be a mom just like you!  These are amazing tips and wise words that I will remember for a long time.  Actually, they even made me cry as I read them.  I can tell how much you love being a mom and how much you've gained from raising your two "growed up" daughters. 

Thank you, thank you for sharing this guest post with my readers and me.  I just love your blog and all the things you continue to learn each day and week and share with the world!  Keep up the great work and thanks for being here today! 


Okay folks, I have one more guest writer this month; then I'll be back!  I'll actually be a guest writer myself next week on two of my favorite sites. 


I've really enjoyed this break from blogging though..... I've been getting so much done with my book!  Hooray!  And I've gotten some time to relax, get well from my strep throat.  This week I'm hosting a brunch at my home for friends.  So thanks to my guest writers for giving me this vacation!  I'm so happy you've been here filling in for me!  


I'll be back next week with updates and a special birthday post for Vivian!  Until then, cheers and enjoy this fall weather! 

Guest Post: "Making The Best of It" with Cathy Has Antsy Pants

Please welcome my pal Cathy of Cathy Has Antsy Pants to the guest post writing spotlight today!  We have a cute little story as to how we met.  Cathy even wrote about it on her site once. 

To sum it up - in August 2009, Cathy found my blog from a search on the internet.  She was considering a similar name - "Cathy's Life after 30" as she was approaching her big 3-0 birthday.  That's how she found me and started reading my site.  She decided to go with Cathy Has Antsy Pants instead though.  I became her first follower and one of her biggest fans soon after.  I'm honored to have her share a funny family story with you on here while I'm still resting from strep throat and busily working on my book.

I love Cathy's "Flashback Fridays" where she often shares old, hilarious (and even embarassing) pictures of herself.  Check out this one where I commented that she resembled "Joe Dirt" with her mullet hairdo.  ;-)  Cathy also reviews alcoholic beverages in what she calls "Booze Day".  Her honest, witty comments on vodkas, gins and cocktails will leave your mouth watering and begging for more.

Most importantly though, Cathy is a wonderful photographer.  Taking photos is her true passion and I know that someday she's going to be showcasing her amazing works for millions to see!  Check out her skills with these beautiful shots shared on her photography blog.


You'll want to wish Cathy Happy Birthday too!  She just celebrated her special day this week and is even giving away a few prizes!  What a great woman!


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"Making The Best of It"

One of my very first family car trips was actually supposed to be a boat trip. I grew up on the Mississippi River and we spent every weekend on the boat when I was a kid. My family had planned a boat trip down the river with another family. Problem was, the weekend we were going to spend lazily floating down the river, was ruined by flooding. There were two bridges that we wouldn't make it under because the water was too high.


So what did we do?

We jumped into the family car. Remember the Griswolds from National Lampoons "Vacation"? That was my family! We had a big Mercury station wagon with the wood paneling and everything! The whole trip we were referred to as the Griswolds; my dad was Clark and my mom, Ellen. My brothers  fought over who was dead Aunt Edna and who was Rusty. I, of course, was Audrey.

We drove down to the city that we were supposed to be boating to. Let me tell you, riding in a car for an hour isn't as fun as floating down the river for 8. We had planned to spend the whole day on the boat, taking our time and enjoying the weather. Instead, my two brothers and I were in the car. Not that there wasn't plenty of room in that beast of a vehicle, but it just wasn't the same. We made it to our destination and of course we had plenty of time to do some on-land exploring.

We made it to a boat show, climbed up into a big cruiser and cracked jokes that we were finally enjoying our 'real' vacation. We toured the Heileman Brewery(now closed), where they brewed my dad's favorite beer, Old Style. The boat we were supposed to be vacationing in, our family boat, was named "Do It With Style" and had an Old Style beer logo on the back. My dad maybe didn't really think that though.

I'm sure we did other things, but I don't remember the details. What I do remember is my parents making the most of our vacation, even when our original plans fell through. Sure, we didn't get to take a long boat ride down the river, but we got to spend quality family time together. Even if that time included arguing about who was "dead Aunt Edna" and who got to sit in the "way back" of the station wagon.

I was worried the other day that I was forgetting memories from my childhood. Thanks, Mandy, for allowing me to document on one that I remember!


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It was my pleasure Cathy!  Thanks for filling in for me this week.  Your story reminded me of my own Griswold misadventures from this summer! 


Cathy, I adore you and think nothing but the best of you.  You're like a protege who has surpassed me - the student who becomes more famous than the teacher, which is what any good teacher truly wants!  :-)   Keep up the great work and continue pursuing your dreams!


More guest posts will be coming very soon!  Then I'll give an October month-end recap and be back in November with details on what I've been doing (besides catching a bacteria infection).  Thank you for stopping by and showing your admiration to these wonderful guest writers!  I look forward to catching up with you in the next week! 

Guest Post: Good Eats, Friends and Baked Apple Crisp

Meet my good friend and baking muse Anne from the blog Annie Bakes. She's a magnificent cook, busy wife and mom of two teenage boys.  And did I mention that she runs her own business and writes for a food column in her community?  I'm surprised that she even had the time to write a guest post for me.  However, thankfully for all of us, she did!  After all, that's just the kind of warm, wonderful person that she is!



Anne and I have been corresponding through email off and on for months now.  I often write to her for recipe suggestions.  Sometimes I'll just send her a note to let her know about a great dish I made and discovered.  She's become a bit of a culinary cheerleader for me.  My cooking coach if you will!  :-)   She and I also share a love of books and read "To Kill A Mockingbird" together back in April too.


Her site is a great inspiration for me.  For simple, hearty meal ideas that your family will enjoy, please check out Anne's blog.  I'm never disappointed at the recipes she shares!   In fact, here's a great corn dip that she told us about.  I bet it would make a great addition to your fall parties and football gatherings.  Also, she recently raved about this tasty crockpot chili dish too!  Check them out and amaze your taste buds!


Thank you Anne for being a guest writer on my blog this month so that I could take a break to work on my own baking and my family favorites cookbook!  I'll be getting with you soon for some baker's tips. 


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Hi everyone and thank you Mandy for having me over to your place today for a guest post! I just love taking my recipes on a road trip.

Mandy and I have been friends for over a year now and we have had so much fun going back and forth with books and recipes!   I was originally going to show you all how to make Pumpkin Puree and share a pumpkin-flavored recipe, but it has been so hot here (in Northern Wisconsin where I reside), that I couldn't bring myself to keep the oven on for hours on end; sooooooooo instead, I made a wonderful Baked Apple Crisp with a granola topping.

I am all about good and easy and this recipe is just that!  Even though apples are great to eat all year round, there is something special about enjoying them warm in the cooler months.   So for now, let's use up some of those marvelous apples!!  Then I'll come back another time to share my pumpkin recipes with you. 

Baked Apple Crisp



INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 cups granola

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon sugar, plus 1/4 cup

5 crisp apples -  (I used Fuji-cored, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon/sugar mixture

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice



DIRECTIONS:


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a medium non-reactive, oven safe skillet over medium heat. Add the granola, 1 tablespoon flour and 1 tablespoon sugar and toss until the sugar is dissolved and the granola is well coated. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.


Using the same skillet; pour in the apples and toss with the cinnamon/sugar mixture, lemon juice and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Cook, stirring occassionally, until the apples are juicy and slightly softened- 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Scatter the reserved granola mixture evenly over the top and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until the crisp is bubbling and the apples are tender, about 35 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.  Enjoy!

*Adapted from a Food network Kitchen Recipe


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Anne, I LOVE that you shared an apple recipe with us.  Actually, it works out even better for me too.  I need to eat more apples to help keep the doctors away!  Sadly, I caught strep throat while taking a trip to New Orleans recently.  I'm sure your recipe is just the prescription I need to feel well again!  Thank you.  And yes, please come back again when your pumpkin recipe has been tested and perfected! 

Cheers to you!  Now everyone go visit Anne's site for more delectable, mouth watering recipes!  

More guest posts will be coming your way.  Thanks to everyone for visiting and sticking around!  I promise to visit you soon. 

Guest Post: September Mom Uses Humor To Manage Four Kids

Meet my good friend Kelly or better known as September mom.  She's a witty, intelligent, poet and mother of four children who lives in New York.  Her wonderful blog - My Voice, My View - has beautiful paintings, insightful poetry and great humor about her tireless days as mom, wife and woman. 

I especially adore her "Microfiction Monday" series where she writes short sentences to describe paintings.  In addition, I love the beautiful images that she has pasted all over her side bars.  She has a love for paintings that capture your attention, like this one:

Kelly and I have spoken on the phone and I love her Yankee accent.  She's as warm on the phone as she is on her blog.  I'm honored to have her be my first guest writer in October, to kick off this month with humor and style.  Thanks Kelly! 


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What a treat for me to come hang out at Mandy's fun place today. Mandy's humor, wit, creativity, honesty, warmth, and kindness are always evident in each of her posts. Considering how each of her posts are like a grand slam, I'm hoping that I at least hit the ball with this guest post.  She's a tough act to follow :)


To think that my kids may have inherited a bit of my sarcastic flair is both rewarding and scary. If I could imitate the wonderful Scarlett O'Hara accent (portrayed by actress Vivien Leigh), I would say, "Oh dear. The things these little "angels" say to their sweet old Mama." Okay, I'm hoping that I'm not THAT old. I'm only an early forty-something mom.  I'm not pushing or driving Miss Daisy yet. 

Anyway, as I put on guest blogger cap, here is another installment of what I regularly share on my blog entitled: "What My Kids Say:"


• "Mom, was TV invented when you were born?" (asks James, age 10).  I think he imagines that I was Pebbles Flintstone way back in 1968.


• "Mom, you want to take a dance class? Not in our town, right?" (asks Joseph, age 7).  He acts like I'm going to parade down Main Street!


• Picture my 5 year old in her sweetest little voice: "Mommy, I know how you can get me a bunch of presents before Christmas. Just buy a Mommy magic wand" (says Jillian, age 5). If I could find the store selling those wish makers, I would be first in line, believe me!


• "Mom, your hair always looks wild. No offense." (remarks James, age 10).  Do you mean "Kramer" wild or "Tina Turner" wild? Now if I only had Tina's legs.


• "Mom, did you lose my homework folder, my homework, my textbooks, my worksheet, my socks, my underwear, my lunch, my football, etc.?"  (asks ALL of them at one point or another!)  Sorry kiddos, not guilty in those areas, but I may have lost some of my sanity after that constant interrogation. How crazy, I guess kiddos, to think that maybe you misplaced an item or two. Being a Virgo, I am kind of organized with most everything, except my thoughts some days.


• "Mom, you do know how to wash my soccer jersey, right?" (inquires John, age 13)  Hmmm, maybe I should pull out that old rock and bucket used by Wilma Flintsone back in the days when I crawled with the dinosaurs???


Mandy, I know that the above might not be the most insightful or creative for your wonderful blog. However, I just had to use this moment to get all those sarcastic jousts with my kids off my chest. Sigh, I feel better.

The reason I started blogging over two years ago was because I was looking for "meaningful conversation" beyond what I describe above with my children.  I wanted to feel truly connected to all sorts of people. Blogging has become a way for me to be just "Kelly" and not just someone's wife or mommy. It's a wonderful sanctuary in a usually hectic day for me as mother to four children.

The creative urge to write pushes me each day. Some days, my muse drops just the right kind of inspiration in my lap and I can knock out a poem or work on a short piece of fiction. There are other days when my creative well feels very dry. Poetry is such an intimate personal expression that feels raw and genuine. So often, I just have to get the poem out. I love to do my poetry quickfires for the blog like my most recent one entitled "Swelling."  It's funny how often I will jot down a poem quickly in the middle of making dinner or checking the kids' homework. I don't want to lose that creative moment which could so easily happen in my busy, chaotic household.

Writing fuels my soul.  Reading does too.  I love taking just five minutes before bed to jump into a favorite poem and breathe for me again.

Thanks Dr. Mandy for letting me use your therapy couch for a while :)   Love ya!
 
 
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Oh no, Kelly, the pleasure is ALL MINE!  Thank you for sharing your thoughts and funny stories with us. 
 
Everyone please leave a kind comment for Kelly or stop by her wonderful place today! 
 
More great features and guest writers will be coming soon!  Stop by again to be inspired by others.

Be My Guest - A Month of Visiting Writers

I love to play hostess and have guests at my house.  The same goes for my blog.  Therefore, I declare this October as "Be My Guest" Month - guest writers, that is. 

I've asked several of my blogging buddies to write posts for me over the next several weeks.  I'm so happy that they are indulging me.  I've selected a few that I consider friends, some I've even spoken to on the telephone before; however, I welcome any of you reading this post to be a guest writer on my site.  If you have a voice and want to share something with my readers, please leave a comment here or send me a personal message - littlebit.mandy@gmail.com.

The timing for this works out perfectly.  I'm writing a cookbook and working on two other creative projects.  I also have several tours, fall activities and my daughter's birthday party planned for this month.  So it's a very hectic but exciting season for me.

Therefore, I look forward to showcasing the creativity and writing style of my friends and fellow bloggers that I love.  They will help fill in for me since I can't be as attentive as I normally am.   A few of these amazing people have been following my blog for over a year now.  I'm truly honored to have them share stories with you on here! 

If you have an idea for a guest post or a topic that you'd like me (or my friends/family) to cover, leave your suggestions in the comment section below.  Or better yet, write something to be shared here.  Let me know that you have a guest article on your brain.   I promise you'll enjoy your stay.  Being on this blog is like staying at a cozy bed and breakfast.  You'll be greeted with coffee, champagne, eggs, pancakes, bagels and more!  You can even demand a refund if you're not happy with your accommodations.

So take off your shoes.  Kick back and relax.  You're a guest in my home.  Enjoy!   

Oh and I know you already exhibit excellent manners but.... please remember to be kind to other guests who are visiting (and writing) here.  Who knows what you'll learn?  You may just discover a new friend or gain valuable information from these wonderful folks and their insightful words. 

I can't wait to share their stories, their humor and their writings with you.  The first guest writer will be coming soon!  You don't want to miss it! 

Shooting Corn Out Of A Cannon And Other Fall Fun!

Fall is my favorite season of the year.  I absolutely love it!  Last year at this time we were in the process of moving from Montgomery, AL to Pensacola, FL.  Instead of enjoying the pumpkin patches and taking outdoor nature walks, my family was packing and unpacking boxes.  We also lived in a tiny hotel room for six weeks - the entire month of October up until a week before Thanksgiving.  Therefore, I felt quite robbed of my autumn harvest expeditions last year.

This year I intend to make the most of it and not miss out on anything!  I've been seeking out several excursions to do for October - a haunted tour, a corn maze, pumpkin farm, cheese farm, peanut farm, bird trails, bike riding, outdoor walks and much more!  I hope to spend each weekend doing something new with my family. 

We kicked off this weekend with a visit to a corn maze in Elberta, Alabama, which is less than thirty minutes from my home.  This family-run seasonal event included a corn maze, a hay maze, a wagon ride, pumpkin patch, corn cannons, a small playground area for kids and more!  The entire property was 80 acres but we only witnessed a few acres of this family's estate.



A visit to a corn maze in Elberta, Alabama    



Walking through the corn fields' winding path


Sadly, we did not master the corn maze even after attempting four different routes.  The corn kicked our butts, I guess you could say.  Although the crops were not very thick and you could see outside the maze, I did find the trail a little bit scary.  You hear lots of rustling sounds being surrounded by all that corn.  I kept waiting for some evil child to jump out and frighten us.  Or I thought an entire baseball team might be lurking behind the crops.  Lol.   At least we can say we experienced the winding paths.

Vivian's grandparents (my folks) - Buddy and Mia came with us to the corn maze.  Viv loves having them around and all the attention they give her.


Vivian with her Buddy and Mia at the corn maze.


This corn maze also had a separate pumpkin patch area.  They had traditional orange pumpkins and even plain white (albino-looking) pumpkins that the farmer said is quite popular.  Patrons like to paint the white ones and turn them into artistic works of art. 



Viva the Diva sits in the midst of the pumpkin patch.


The farm had two dogs running around that Vivian chased after.  She also had the opportunity to pet several farm animals, including a few goats, ponies and calves. 

Kirk (and my dad)'s favorite part at the corn maze was a corn cannon.  That's right!  A cannon used to shoot corn at targets.  The owners had three cannons of varying sizes that you can stuff corn down and pull the trigger.  If you hit the designated target with your corn, then you win a free t-shirt.  None of us hit the bullseye but we all came close!   Kirk really had a good time using the cannon.  The farmer told us how we can make our own cannon using parts from a hardware store.  I think I know what Kirk wants for Christmas now!  Lol.  Although instead of corn, I can picture him shooting off peanut shells and empty beer cans.  ;-)



Kirk takes his aim with the corn cannon!  He got very close to hitting the target.


All in all, Saturday was a great day for a family outing.  The weather was perfect - sunny with highs in the upper 70's and lower 80's.  Humidity was low.  You could not ask for better conditions.  I really love that our family makes it a point to visit these kind of events.  Fall is such a great time to do some exploring! 



Our family at the corn maze - Kirk, Vivian and Mandy enjoy the fall festivities!

After our visit to the corn maze, we drove to a cheese farm nearby.  Actually, it was more of a family-run cheese shop.  A husband-wife team sells their homemade cheese varieties right on their property.  Our mouths watered over the samples we ate - gouda, sharp, garlic, cajun-spiced and bleu cheese.    We left the store with a 1/2 pound of gouda, a 1/2 pound of cajun-spiced and one hunk of chocolate pecan fudge cheese.

We then stumbled upon a unique barbecue restaurant just a few miles from the cheese farm.  So of course we HAD to stop in for brisket, beef sandwiches and fried chicken tenders.  The sweet tea washed it all down nicely for me.  What a deliciously fun day we had! 

I can't wait to do other interesting activities this month.   It's going to be a great October.  I can't wait to play tourist! 

Also, the biggest event this month is yet to come..... On October 29th when the Diva turns three years old.  We're already doing some early celebrating with different family members.  On Friday we had a little cake party for Viv with her grandparents.  She's one lucky little girl, that's for sure!


Viv has a slice of early birthday cake with her Buddy and Mia.


What fun things are you planning for this October?  What do you enjoy about fall time?