My Working Life (So Far)

So here is how it goes.  When I was growing up my parents owned their own shop.  They worked ALL the time.  Most of my childhood I sat among boxes in a storeroom.  I watched Golden Girls.  I read Archie.  I also worked.  Age appropriate jobs, of course.  So I started my working life at 10.  By the time I was old enough to get a worker's permit I hightailed it out of there and got a job somewhere else.  Working for your family isn't fun.  Actually working for other people isn't fun either.  Working for your family is even less fun.  So I worked every summer until I graduated college and got a full time big person job. Then I got a better big person job and then another. Then I had a baby.  Well, that was the end of the big person job.  Then I had another baby, and then another and before I called it a day I had one more. 

Actually a whole, huge amount of fun and exciting things also happened but that isn't part of this story.  This is about working and where I am now.  It's time to decide what comes next. 

Here is what I know.  I love making my own schedule.  I like being here when the kids get off the bus.  I love that summer is not spent in an office looking out the window wishing I were outside.  Basically I want to work from 10-3 and have most of the summer off.  Sounds like a great job, doesn't it??   There's just tons of jobs like that around!

I have a plan.  A work from home, have my own business plan.  It does not require me to actually make anything because I'm not good at making anything but nachos.  I can make really great nachos.  So more details later.  I have plenty of time before my little guy is in school long enough for me to be productive.  So why not stretch this out in two, ten or 30 posts?

A Little Changeroo

I'm cleaning up the place.  A new header, new layout and it's taking forever!! Why does this stuff take so long to do?  Or is it just me?  Anyhow...I'll have a new post soon.  In the meantime know that my poor technically challenged self is taking 45 minutes to just change the font.

Summertime, Summertime

I have not been around much lately.  Summer has been good to me.  Many trips to the beach.  Lazy days and fun nights.  Boat trips and boat drinks.  The kids entertained themselves with sandcastles and swimming pools.  Some days I just sat at the edge of the surf and stared out to the ocean.

Life is good and in the summer life is very good.

It will all end soon and that's ok.  The school bus will come, football will start and I'll dust off the crock pot.  All the while dreaming of next summer...........

So much to do!!

This is going to be one busy week.  I have two parties this weekend.  Not to go to.......parties here at my house!! My husband scheduled one, I scheduled the other and miscommunication occurred.  Actually, he told me about his and I forgot to put it on the calendar.   At least they are not on the same day!  

Thanks to everyone who gave advice on my beach cupcakes.  I think they will turn out so cute. If so I will take pictures.  If not I'll just chalk it up to another cupcake experience.  So a party on Friday and a party on Sunday and then Father's Day on Sunday.  Yikes!  I have a lot to do. 

I saw these on Martha and I think they will be perfect for the older kids to make. 

I also have a bucket left over from Liam's party.  I thought we could either write something on it or draw pictures on it and then fill with car wash supplies and he can keep it in the garage.  It's a twist on a gift idea I also saw on Martha. 

In more relaxing news, just two weeks till our Outer Banks vacation.  Fun, fun times around here.  Parties, crafts and packing for the beach.  I couldn't love summer more than I do right now.

                   

“My life is like a stroll on the beach...as near to the edge as I can go.”

--Thoreau

Grass or Sand..........

I'm working on my "End of School" party next week.  Having a little cupcake dilemma.  I'm doing little fondant flip flops as the cupcake decoration.  Perfect.

Now for the hard part.  Make grass out of icing?  Ice them regular and put brown sugar for sand?  Umbrella or no umbrella?  or I was even thinking of piping the icing putting the flip flops on top and then using sprinkles.

Isn't summer great?  My only dilemma involves flip flops. 

images: cocoa and fig and flickr and cupcaketakesthecake.com

Smores for Everyone

I have Smores on my mind.  The weather is getting warmer.  People are going camping.  People who are not me that is.  I make my Smores with a little indoor Smores table my sister bought me.  It's great.  You make smores without sitting on a log and eating off a tree branch.  I'm sure the outdoorsy thing is part of the Smores experience but I just really like the chocolate and melted marshmallow combo.

So here are Smores three ways.  One packaged up very pretty for a great summer hostess gift.  Next, a Smores cupcake.  Lastly, just because it's Friday, a Smores Cocktail.  Cheers!

Smores Cupcakes

Smoretini

32 ounces Vodka

16 ounces Chocolate Liqueur

1 64-ounce pitcher

1 sleeve of graham crackers or more if needed

1 jar marshmallow creme (Marshmallow Fluff)

16 martini glasses

1 bag wooden skewers

1 bag miniature marshmallows

Pour vodka and chocolate liqueur into pitcher and stir. Refrigerate for several hours until very cold. Crush a graham crackers and place into a small bowl. Rim martini glasses with marshmallow crème. Dip glasses into graham cracker crumbs and shake gently to remove excess. Place marshmallows on skewers and toast over an open flame (grill or fire pit preferably). Pour 3 ounces of cold drink mixture into each prepared glass and serve with toasted marshmallow as garnish.

Liam's Baseball Party