Simple Girl

Hahaha!  I am so putting these in my kids lunch boxes tomorrow! Plastic Vampire Teeth stuck in the center of a bagel, topped with candy eyes. There is so much to love about being a mom! :-) HAPPY HALLOWEEN! xo Rachel Source:  Family Fun Magazine

There are two things I love about fall.  The beautiful, radiant leaves.  And Football.  That's right. I said it.  The "F" word. It might be a surprise to some of you.  For those of you who did not know me BP (Before Perry), I will tell you that I grew up in a household void of all things football.  My dad never watched a football game on TV. We never set out a tail-gate spread before attending a college match-up. And Super Bowl Sunday meant one thing.  Shopping. (The malls are way less crowded!) The very first Thanksgiving that said Husband ever spent with my family, my mom went all out.  She had her finest linens and china on the table, multiple side dishes in the oven and a plated first course salad.  Perry leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Where's the football game?" I had no idea what he was talking about.  This was in stark contrast to HIS family's Thanksgiving where the turkey dinner was meticulously scheduled around h...

The new neighbors just moved in. As I learned in my time spent in The South, the best way to meet new neighbors is to bring them food.  Food gives you a reason to drop by unannounced.  Food prevents that awkward moment of silence when the new neighbors are not sure whether or not to invite you in. I mean, you can't blame them. They don't know you and haven't had time to assess if you hold the potential to be their new best friend or if you will become to them the mysterious Boo Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird, dominating their imagination of the unknown.   These Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars were the brainchild of my oldest daughter, Anna.  She made them for the new neighbors as a gesture of friendship and a reason to find out if they have any kids her age. Here's a pictures those beauties. A double stuffed Oreo encased in chocolate chip cookie dough. Have you ever seen anything so divine? On Friday the girls brought them ove...

I believe. In small parties.  Now, don't get me wrong. I've had sleepovers for 15 girls and chaotic, thunderous celebrations at Chuck E. Cheese's. I have. Which is why I can tell you that a small, intimate soiree is a lovely way to celebrate the birthday of a whimsical girl.  Four girls. Three hours. It's a beautiful thing. Because October in Minnesota can be a bit unpredictable, we brought our garden party indoors. A look around the house was all we needed for a beautifully set table. Candy-coated sunflower seeds are perfectly miniature in scale. Caprese "Mushrooms" grow from a moss-covered pot. Berries look beautiful in flower cups. Ella made the "Acorns" with kisses, mini vanilla wafers and chocolate chips. Beautiful little bites. Petit Fours with fanciful mushrooms and ferns (Grandma's Bakery). Exquisite flower cookies (Grandma's Bakery). A well-...