first tri

We know a special someone who is competing in a first triathlon soon.  

We wanted to say...

on your...

actually, your 

swim

bike

run.

We know you'll do great!

swing

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue? 

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing 

Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

Till I can see so wide,

River and trees and cattle and all,

Over the countryside.

Till I look down on the garden green,

Down on the roof so brown--

Up in the air I go flying again,

Up in the air and down!

Robert Louis Stevenson

Agreeable hour

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.  

-Henry James

Afternoon tea was carefully made with ice water to turn the little color-changing cups dark purple from their normal light pink hue.  The oilcloth mat was carefully set with paper napkins and the little spoons that accompanied the set.

They sat cross-legged {which is custom at an afternoon tea in the middle of the kitchen floor} as we passed the tea around.  We sipped our tea like proper ladies until the little one insisted on pouring.

After ice-water was dumped a few too many times, they danced like natives.  They giggled and stomped  and  sat and poured more.

   Dress-up heels were kicked off and tea cups were purposely tumped over.  Water puddles glistened in the kitchen light like little puddles in the street do after a heavy downpour.  

They scurried away after their clothes were soaked and decided an afternoon in a play tent might just be the perfect end to an afternoon tea.

It was indeed a most-agreeable hour.

Donas on Sunday

On a little island in Mexico you can buy the most wonderful "donas" or donuts.  In the local grocery stores, they are made fresh in the morning and are rolled in sugar.  They are incredible and very different from our donuts here.  They are more cake-like and less sweet.  Without the super sweet glazes and toppings they are a wonderful treat on a special morning.

We finally found a recipe that tastes very close to the donas in Mexico.  What better treat than warm donuts early on a Sunday morning.  This recipe requires frying the batter to cook the dough but I just ran across another recipe for donuts that are baked.  I am eager to try that sometime soon too.  I am sure it is loads healthier than frying. I am not too fond of the house smelling like a grease pit all day...but the wonderful taste and memories seems worth it.  

Homemade Donuts {no-yeast}

1 c. milk
1 c. sugar
2 1/2 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs, beaten
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
confectioners sugar
3 1/2 c. sifted flour
Oil for deep frying

In a bowl combine sugar and butter. Add eggs and blend. Add milk. In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add liquid mixture to flour mixture gradually, beating vigorously. Knead lightly on a floured work surface. Add a small amount of flour, if needed to keep dough from sticking.Roll out to 1/4 inch thick rectangle. Use a doughnut cutter to cut dough. Fry in deep hot oil, maintaining a 370°F temperature.
When doughnuts rise to top turn only once. Drain doughnuts on absorbent paper. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

the inseparable bond

My girl loves her boy.  You may remember that they are eating buddies from this post.  Lately, {along with mothering just about anything that could be mothered} my girl has shown great interest in taking care of her pointed-eared boy.  Along with feeding him, playing with him and making beds for him to lay on, she insists on walking him.  This doesn't happen too much these days because of the heat, but when it does, she is in heaven.  She walks down the street giggling as she follow along after her boys.  

style all her own

Glamorous shoes with sparkles and heels {that are always twice your size},

little fingers immersed in paint,

red bows with pink

rain boots on the hottest summer day,

 

big sister's headbands and sunglasses,

all contribute to your most-impeccable style.  Don't ever change your ways.

You style infuses our home with incredible happiness.  

Monthly Organization: sweet memories project UPDATE!

If you remember this post about the Memory Keepers from this fun place, you'll be delighted to know that they are offering $40 off your order with no minimum.  Can you believe that?  

Just use the code: BEGINANYWHERE at checkout and they will deduct $40 off your order.

At $38 bucks a pop, with $40 off, you can have great fun 

making some Memory Keepers of your own!

Enjoy!

Paper Coterie