toadally cute

We found a cute little toad

hopping around in the grass.

I would have stepped on him

had he not hopped away...

startling me...

and causing me...

to let out a little...

yelp!

He was so cleverly camouflaged

by the grass

it was hard to follow him

as he hopped away.

But then...

my boys

put him in a box

so they could get

a closer look.

My youngest son Easton

had no qualms

about holding

the warty little fellow.

I...

however...

am WAY too squeamish

to touch a toad.

And besides...

if you touch a toad...

you'll get warts!!

RIGHT?!?!

Well...

I know

that is just

an old wives tale...

but...

it sticks with me!

It was so cool

to really get

a good

close-up

look

at the bumpy

little creature.

I don't know why it is...

but...

whenever my family finds

a frog or toad...

which isn't too often...

we just think

it's the greatest thing ever!

Pomplamoose - If You Think You Need Some Lovin

I love this song! I linked to it from another person's blog. Sorry, I can't remember whose blog I was reading at the time, but I am so happy they had a link. These guys are so talented and fun! They are called Pomplamoose. You can find a lot of their music on YouTube. Enjoy!

Eating Healty

it is time

time to eat better


time to eat healthy


I go in waves


actually, I always eat pretty healthy


I rarely eat processed foods


I never eat fast food


I just eat


homemade cookies


homemade cakes


and homemade pies


I will still eat those things


just in moderation


and I will eat more


fruits and vegetables


and takes some walks


it was a long winter


but now


it is summer


life is good!

Funnel Cake Fever

Sweet fried dough carried on a warm summer evening breeze.

My husband is usually the one standing in the funnel cake line.

Mind you, he will always ask me if I would like one as well.

I will always tell him no.

However...

when he returns and starting eating that

sweet

puffy

doughy

goodness...

I, of course, want a few bites!

Then I am telling myself,

"Dang, I should have got one too!"

Why do I do that??

Can anyone relate?

Lately I've had a hankerin' for a funnel cake!

Of course I'm not going to wait until the next county fair!

I found a few recipes on the internet...

all pretty much the same ingredients...

It's actually the simplest thing ever!

There's nothing much to the recipe:

flour, milk, baking powder, salt and eggs.

Of course you will need:

a clean kitchen funnel

and an 8 inch fry pan filled with one inch of oil.

I used what I had on hand...

canola oil...

and it worked just fine.

Here's the recipe!

FUNNEL CAKES

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Mix flour, baking powder and salt.

In separate bowl, beat eggs and milk.

Add flour mixture to egg mixture.

Beat with electric mixer until smooth.

Heat oil to 360 degrees.

Hold funnel in one hand with finger over bottom opening.

Fill funnel with 1/2 cup batter

Hold funnel few inches above oil.

Release finger allowing batter to run freely into oil.

Start in middle and make a swirl in a circular motion.

Fry until golden.

my visit to Cape Coral, Florida

Arrived home Wednesday afternoon from my visit to Florida. Had a nice time. It was good to see my sister Holly and brother in law Jeff. The star attraction of the visit was my little niece Abby. She is 15 months old and very adorable! Here they are in this photo.

We went to the beach one day...swam a little, hung out a little...and no...I did not get a sun tan! This is my sister Holly and her daughter Abby.

Abby

Abby and her Uncle Derek, which is my brother.

My brother Derek and me. It was so good to see him. It's been 2 years!

My 16 year old nephew Kevin...me...and my 14 year old niece Kelsey. They have grown so much I can hardly believe it! I look like a shrimp between the two of them!

My sister in law Sandy and her daughter Kelsey. It was great to see Sandy again. We got to talk for a little when I first got into town.

Abby loves to play in the cupboard and take out the beaters from the mixer. I'm guessing soon she'll be taking out those pretty white plates right there.

Don't you just love little toesies!!

I baked a strawberry blueberry pie. It was DELICIOUS! I think it needed a little extra cornstarch to thicken the filling. We ate it with vanilla ice cream in a bowl. Divine! Makes me want to make one right now!

Abby loves to play in her closet with all the pieces to her bottles.

WORLD'S CHUBBIEST CHEEKS!

Evening boat ride to Matlacha. Here is me and Abby.

Here is Abby's Grandfather, my sister's father in law. His name is Dutch.

This is Abby's Grandma...Shirley, and her Daddy...Jeff.

Abby and her Daddy.

Bye, Bye!

I had a great time in Cape Coral, Florida. It was great to see everyone!