Tales from Bloggeritaville: Summertime!

Happy summer!

Thrifty Thursday - TNT Consignment Sale

I'm linking up (a little late!) for Thrifty Thursday over at Bloggeritaville. Click on over for more Thrifty Finds!

Since we found out that our little bean is going to be a little boy, I decided to go through all of "Big Bean's" clothes and take a load to the consignment sale at our church. It was my first foray into a highly-addictive "hobby", but I got some GREAT stuff in return. The church opened the presale for sellers last night from 6-8 pm and I RACKED UP! Check out some of my favorite purchases:

The Bean's Easter Dress - $20

Provided that I am not in labor at Easter, I think this full-length dress featuring French handsewing, pearls, and embroidery is going to look absolutely precious on the big Bean.

Sailor Suit with Hat - $5

Sailor Dress - $5

Could there be a cuter brother/sister duo for this price? I think not!

And my best "find of the day" . . . .

A New With Tags Strasburg button-on shorts suit for $5!!!!

Thrifty Thursday (LATE!) - Farmer Friday

The Bean's daycare is hosting "Farm Month" during February, and having "Farmer Fridays" each week wherein children are encouraged to dress as their favorite farmer. Since I am THAT mama, I convinced (dragged) TJ and The Bean to the thrift store last weekend to pick up some cheap farm duds. Here's part of our haul:

Shirt: $1.98

Overalls $2.98

* We also got a red bandanna-print Wrangler button up shirt for $1.98 that she will be wearing next week with jeans and her "cowboy boots".

Isn't she cute in her farm duds?

Joining up for the 101st THRIFTY THURSDAY over at Bloggeritaville!

Graphic Design project

I recently was given the opportunity to design some save the date cards for the upcoming nuptials of our friends Brandon & Allegra. They're getting married on the beach at a lovely resort in Florida, and although most of her family lives there, for the rest of us it will be a destination wedding. Allegra had a GREAT idea to model the cards after vintage-looking travel postcards. How fun!

I thought they turned out really cute, and a big thank you to EBSCO for their attention to color on the docu-tech!

Wild N Wacky Weekends

We are officially booked for every weekend from now until New Years! Good gracious, the holidays creep up faster and faster each year!

Last weekend, TJ and I headed down to Tallahassee to attend the engagement party of our sweet friends Brandon & Allegra. The party was held at her brother, John's, home (which had the most beautiful knotty pine moldings and wainscoting!) The appetizer menu featured chicken liver paté, assorted fruits and veggies, smoked fish dip, and fried alligator - caught by John and his dad the previous week. It was chewy, as gator usually is, but delectable with the homemade sundried tomato dip! I couldn't get over the fact that these "imports" from New Jersey were becoming real, bonafide Swamp People - ha!

Dinner included organic salad, grilled chicken, ribs, and pulled pork, as well as potato salad, slaw, beans and other delectables. Her sister Valerie, sister in law Jeannine, and neice Lexie made two delicious desserts - a flourless chocolate torte, and a delicious spice cake with caramel frosting and fondant leaves. And to top it off? Steaming mugs of homemade chai tea! Y'all, I was in heaven!

Brandon & Allegra were, of course, thrilled that everyone had come to offer their support, love and congratulations. They are a truly special couple and I love them both to bits!

This weekend, TJ is going with Brandon and some of their friends to the mountains of Georgia, to go on their annual dirt bike riding adventure. Imagine if you will, a passel of guys holed up in a cabin, riding in the mud all day, and drinking beer and swapping stories all night. Very manly, no?

I will be contributing 2 french loaves stuffed with a delicious mixture of ground beef and pork, mozzarella cheese, onion, and hot mustard and lightly brushed with butter and garlic salt. They'll be wrapped in aluminum foil, perfect for throwing over the fire pit to warm up for dinner! After all, they've got to keep up their strength for the exhausting ride ahead!

Meanwhile, Bean and I have a full weekend planned. Saturday morning, we have an appointment to meet Santa for breakfast at La Reunion in Helena. Afterward, I figured we'd hit up the Helena Mercantile and do a little Christmas shopping, then head back to the house to change for the "Princess Birthday Party" she's invited to. The Bean will be sporting her Ariel costume, with hair up, crown adjusted, and ready for her tea and crumpets! Sunday, of course, is church - then the 64th annual performance by the Alabama Civic Chorale and Alabama Symphony Orchestra of Handel's Messiah. I can't imagine a better way to kick off the holiday season!

I've been listening to Christmas music all week at work and have wondered if I'm not rushing a bit this year. What if I'm burned out on Christmas by the time it arrives? (doubtful, but it could happen!) TJ has already chastised me for "forgetting" Thanksgiving, as if I could forget my commitment to make 2 batches of sausage balls, cream cheese mini muffins and a citrus cheesecake! I guess I just can't wait to get in the spirit of the season - how about you?