White Chocolate Popcorn

I mentioned last week that we made a trip to Texas for Hubby's family reunion.  My SIL and I always plan our snacks when we go on family trips.  I was supposed to make Caramel Brownies, that is until my A/C died and Hubby refused to let me turn on the oven in an already 80 degree house.  So, my poor SIL was left to make snacks for all of us.  Boy, did she come through.  White chocolate popcorn.  I've had it before, but forgot how addictive it can be.  It's got that wonderful salty-sweet thing going on that I loooove!  So, you ready for the recipe?

White Chocolate Popcorn

3 bags microwave popcorn

1/2 bag of toffee bits (Heath bits of brickle)

1 tray/package of Almond Bark

Pop popcorn and empty bags into a large roaster pan, being careful to keep out unpopped kernals. Melt almond bark in microwave, add toffee bits, and stir. Pour over popcorn and stir till coated. Pour out (spreading out) onto wax paper to harden. Break apart into pieces and store in tuperware.

My SIL sent home two large ziploc bags with us.  Seems like everytime I turned around after we got hom, this is what I saw.

My baby girl in my chair with my White Chocolate Popcorn!  MMMMM!

Can you see the toffee bits?  MMMMMMM!  Thanks SIL!

Happy Memorial Day!

Well, Hubby had to work Saturday, but we did get to head to mom and dad's Sunday.  We ate some yummy grilled burgers and hot dogs and hit the lake. 

The kids had a great time playing in the water.  Mom and I had a great time floating on the rafts and getting some sun. 

Looks very relaxing, doesn't it?  Let's just pretend that that is me in the picture. 

While Memorial Day is officially the beginning of the summer lake season, it is much more than that.  Memorial Day is the day we pay tribute to our fallen soldiers

 and the soldiers who serve and protect us every day. 

For this, I am eternally grateful.  Today we celebrate you.  Thank you for your service.  May God protect you and bring you home safely to your families. 

Ruffled Kitchen Towel Winner

Drumroll please....................and the winner of the Ruffled Kitchen Towel is.......Madonna from Butterfly Acres.  Woo hoo!  YAY Madonna! 

Madonna, I will email you to get your mailing information.  Thanks to everyone that entered.  Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

A Day At The Fire Station

This time of year is always super busy and exciting. The end of the school year always means field trips, end of the year parties, recitals, band concerts, and field days, but Wednesday's events were something new for us.

Our local fire department sponsored a fire safety contest for all the local third graders. The participants were to make a poster of their floor plan which included the location of all the fire detectors, the escape plan for everyone and the meeting place outside of the house. Each elementary school in the area had a winner. J won for his school.

The kids got to tour the fire station.

J got to sit in the fire truck.

I had to take C to school, but J got to stay and eat breakfast with the firefighters. 

After breakfast, J got to sit in the firetruck and do the radio test.  Then the best part....J got to ride to school in the firetruck.  All of the third graders were waiting outside when he arrived.  They cheered and clapped for him.  He was so excited.

Alright, so he doesn't look very excited.  He was a little embarassed.  He's not used to people clapping and cheering when he gets to school (although sometimes I clap and cheer when they all go to school).  He was excited though.  It was definitely a day to remember.

** Only two more days left to enter my giveaway.  Click HERE for details.

Fashion Trends For Your Backside

Throughout the ages, women have dressed to accentuate their curves.  If they didn't have curves, they faked them, or exaggerated what they did have. 

The hoop skirt was popular from 1860-1865.  This was worn by Scarlett O'Hara in 1861.

The bustle dress became popular in 1861.  They invented a special backless chairs so that women didn't squish their bustles when they sat.

Marilyn Monroe wore lots of pencil skirts in the 60's.  They obviously accentuated her bum.

So, what about fashionable babies?  What do they wear to show off their tiny little hineys?

RUFFLES!

Awwww, nothing like ruffles on little girls.  So sweet!  I wonder if I could interest Kim Kardashian in some ruffles for her famous backside?

Yes?  No?  It could be a new trend!

Family Reunion Weekend

Well, this was the weekend of Hubby's annual family reunion in Texas.  When my family has a family reunion, we get together at the "favorite cousin's" house and sit around a eat (potluck) and visit and play cards and it's always a ton of fun, but it only lasts a day. 

Hubby's reunion is a little different.  They rent out a church camp for three days of family fun.  There is a big fish fry on Friday night, which Hubby's cousin does for the entire family (I think it was 94 people this year).  Saturday's lunch consists of TONS of smoked meat (briscut, smoked sausage, etc.), cooked by another cousin who happens to own a restaurant.  The sides are potluck.  Saturday night is leftovers from lunch.  In addition to the wonderful food, there are annual events that take place.  Friday night there is a 42 tournament.  Saturday morning is the fishing tournament and the family devotional.  There is also an annual volleyball tournament and an annual auction full of items donated by family members.  This auction is to raise $$ for the next year's reunion.  There is also a kid craft and a big rented blow up water slide for the kids.  It's a full weekend of fun. 

C and my niece M, in front of our cabin.

All my kiddos loving on their "uncle" (actually cousin) before we left. 

I HATE that I didn't take more pictures.  WE had a great time visiting with family.  Can't wait until next year.  Still working on the ten loads of laundry from this weekend though. 

Unplugged

I will be "unplugged" for the weekend.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Remember to enter my giveaway.  Click HERE for details. 

Ruffled Kitchen Towel Giveaway

What does cottage charm mean to you?  To me, it means a relaxed and comfortable place.  It's inviting, a place that rises up to greet you, as Oprah would say.  It's never too uptight.  It's a mix of old and new.  It's a big comfy chair or sofa.

Well, Kim at Twice Remembered Cottage is having a month long giveaway and I thought I would join in.  We're supposed to giveaway things we feel have "cottage charm". 

Remember this post I did about this ruffled ruffled kitchen towel I made?

No?  Well, let me refresh your memory.  It's a large flour sack towel with three ruffles. 

The ruffles are not hemmed and are meant to fray with each washing.  So wanna know how to win it?


1.  Follow Froufroubritches on Google Friend Connect and leave me a comment saying you are a follower (required).

2.  Leave me a comment stating what you love about cottage style. 

3.  Blog or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me a comment stating which you did.

 Because of high shipping costs, this giveaway is only available to residents of the United States and Canada.  This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m. on May, 28th.  The winner will be announced May 29th. 

Be sure and stop by Twice Remembered Cottage and see what everyone else has to giveaway.  There's some REALLY fabulous stuff!!! 

I Remember It Like It Was Yesterday

I remember it like it was yesterday.  I walked around all day hiking up and down the side of the hill on mom and dad's property just two days shy of my scheduled c-section.  After walking around all day, we stopped for a few last minute things at Wal-Mart.  That's when I realized I was.....leaking.  So, after calling my doctor and my mother-in-law, we headed to the doctor's office to "be checked".  About two minutes after stepping foot in the exam room, my water broke and I
 mean REALLY broke.  So, after some more quick calls to the rest of our family, we were off to the hospital.  A few hours later, we met the sweetest little boy ever. 

One Year Old.

and now he looks like this...

Where did the time go? 

Happy 7th Birthday Baby Boy!  I am so blessed to get to be your mommy!

Cheese Pie

So, I mentioned yesterday that my SIL was in for a visit this weekend.  We, as always, had tons of food, including one of my favorites....Cheese Pie.  My SIL made it and I couldn't wait to share the recipe with y'all.  It's soooooo gooooood!   

Pie crust
3 eggs
Shredded Colby, Jack and Cheddar cheese blend
jalapeno rings

Put a handful of cheese in the bottom of your frozen crust.  Top with a few rings of jalapenos (6-8 or more of you like a lot of heat).  Mix 3 eggs (and maybe a dash of salt and pepper) and pour on top of jalapeno.  Top with another handful of cheese.  Bake at  350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until set.

Doesn't that look DIVINE?  YUM!  In fact, I think I'll go have a slice.  It warms up really well too.  MMMMM!  Thanks SIL!!!

Recital Weekend

Did anyone else have Blogger problems last week?  I couldn't post Thursday or Friday?  Was it just me?

Well, it was a busy weekend.  L had a field trip Friday to the local "bouncy house" place.  We had such fun climbing, jumping and sliding. 

L coming off the bouncy slide.

Also, the girls' had their recital and we had a house full of company for the occasion.  My BIL, SIL, my niece and my in-laws came to visit.  They all stayed here in my little house....talk about family togetherness.  It was tight, but we had a GREAT time.

This is little Miss Pouty Britches before her performance.

Here is the much happier after recital picture with her flowers.  She also got a trophy for being the leader in her class.  She was so excited about her trophy that she slept with it right next to her on the dresser.  The next morning she got up and said, "Good morning trophy" and carried it around the house with her all day long. 

C also did very well in the recital.  However, she HATED her costume and not only refused to smile for a decent picture, but pretty much hid from me until she changed clothes.  Therefore, I have no picture of C to share.  Teenagers!

So, what did y'all do this weekend? 

Almost Wordless Wednesday

This is what I found when I went to check on the kids before I went to be the other night. 

J must've been expecting some 3D dreams! 

Have a great day!

New Used Playset and Mother's Day Weekend

My oldest, who is now 13, got a swingset for her 3rd birthday.  That metal swingset was a gift from my parents.  It was in the backyard at our old house and was then moved to this house eight years ago.  The kids have loved it, but it was a little small for four kids.  They constantly fought over whose turn it was to swing.  Everytime we got to the local hardware store, they begged for a bigger swingset.  We had our eye on this one.

This swingset is fabulous, but at $1,600 it was a bit out of our budget.  So, when Hubby heard a friend at work had a swingset to get rid of, we went to look at it.  This friend is a builder and designed it himself.  We bought it for $350 and enlisted the help of my dad (a former builder) and my brother to help Hubby haul it to our house and put it back together.  This is how it looks in our yard.

You can't see it, but there are monkey bars and a slide on the backside, and a climbing wall on the left.  This is how it looks from my porch.  And here is the seperate swingset.

It took the guys about 11 hours to disassemble, transport and reassemble everything.  They did a fabulous job.  There isn't much room left in my yard, but it's worth it if it keeps the kids busy and happy.  And the $350 was whole lot better than $1,600.  Now, we just need to restain it.

We also decided to have our Mother's Day celebration for lunch that day since the entire family was here.  We had BBQ Pork Sandwiches for lunch and celebrated my awesome mom.

It was a great Mother's Day weekend.  What about you?  Did you have a good weekend?

Just a Little Treat for the Teachers in Our Life

I had plans to get this project done early in the week, but I got sick so my plans flew right out the window.  Here's the scoop:  I'm southern and I'm Baptist, which means that if I love you...I feed you.  So, for Teacher Appreciation Day, I made The Best Cinammon Rolls EVER!  I made little tags and packaged them like this

Here is a closer look at the tags

My tags weren't perfect, but I thought they were kind of cute.  Of course, they had to be aqua and red.  I would've shared them, but I'm not smart enough to know how to post them.  I only know how to email them as an attachment.  Oh well.  It's a little late anyway.

Have a great weekend!

Getting To Know You Thursday....Conservative or Adventurous Risk Taker?

It seems this week I have been bombarded by adventurous stories on the news and on TV.  Hubby was telling me about an article on the biggest roller coastersin the world he read on the internet.  I watched Kate Gosselin walk along the edge of a skyscraper on her show the other day. 

After the skywalk came the skyjump.  She was fully harnassed and was supposed to "step off" the ledge of the building, but was screaming and crying out of fear.  I've seen countless people on Amazing Race who bungee jump, repel down the sides of buildings and go down zip lines that are hundreds of feet in the air.  So, this got me thinking about my adventurous side and how I compare. 

My dad tells me that when I was a little girl, about five years old, we stopped at one of those little carnivals that had set up in a store parking lot.  I begged my dad to take me on the squirrel cages.  Ya know the one?  It's like a ferris wheel, but instead of cars, there are cages that spin end over end.  I don't remember it, but he says that I had a great time, while he was sick as a dog. 

I grew up going to Six Flags in Dallas/Ft. Worth at least once a summer for my entire life.  We had many family trips and youth group trips there.  I was always afraid of the roller coasters, but gave in to peer pressure, rode it and loved it.  There were several to choose from.  I loved the big steel one that had two big loops in it.  It was sooo much fun!  I don't think it's even there anymore. 

I vaguely remember flying on an airplane when I was about seven.  Mom said I loved it.  I didn't fly again until I was 30.  I was terrified!  Hubby and I flew to Dallas for the weekend when we were first dating.  I was a nervous wreck!  It was only a 45 minute flight.  I was crying and would NOT let go of my then boyfriend.  I don't know how I thought he was going to save me from falling out of the sky, but if I was going down, I was taking him with me!  I did better on the flight back to Arkansas. 

I had adventurous friends in college.  The loved to go rock climbing and repelling. 

Hmmmm.  Let's see.  A huge cliff, with a tiny little rope holding me?  MMMM.  No thanks.  You see, riding a roller coaster is about as adventurous as I get.  One big reason is my fear of heights.  I am terrified of heights.  Actually, I'm afraid of falling from heights.  I do okay on things that move really quickly and that aren't physically demanding, like roller coasters.  But, I don't have it in me to jump off of a perfectly good sturdy structure into the air, even with a harness.  I'd have a heart attack for sure.  You'll NEVER catch me skydiving.  WHY would you want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?  No way! 

Nope, guess I'm not a risk taker.  I'm pretty much a big ole chicken butt!  And proud of it!  I know my limits.  You couldn't even get me up to the top of that skywalk building.  No thank you!  I think I'll stick to the Tilt-a-Whirl.  Rides that threaten to fling me through the air, I don't find amusing.  Nope.

I think I'm pretty conservative in other areas of my life too.  I'm not a big gambler.  I have been to a few casinos.  I take in about $25 and when it's gone, it's gone.  If I ever did win some $$, I'd be outta there with my winnings. 

Deal or No Deal had a big open casting call several years ago in Arkansas. 

I went and tried out, but didn't make it to the show.  Bummer!  I wouldn't have done very well anyway.  I probably would've taken the first deal Howie offered me.  $3,000?  DEAL!  Thanks Howie!  And back on the plane, clutching my Hubby, with my $3,000 check I would go.  I would't be willing to part with my $3,000 just for the chance to make a little more.  What if I ended up with nothing?  Nope.  I wouldn't be good at it at all!  I'm definitely conservative with money. 

I think the only area of my life where I would be considered a risk taker, would be in my relationships.  I've never been one to hold back.  If I love ya, I'm gonna let ya know no matter what.  If you don't love me back, then it wasn't meant to be.  All cards on the table, no game playing, no regrets.  You always gotta take a chance on love. 

Yep, he was definitely worth the gamble!

So, what about you?  Would you consider yourself conservative or a risk taker?