It's the Little Things: Family Fun and Fall TV

I'm linking up with Lindsay @ Aisle to Aloha for "It's the Little Things Friday."  The goal of this weekly party is to celebrate the little things that happen in every day life that we are grateful for.  It is also an opportunity to get out the camera and practice, practice!

This past week, we were able to visit with family for my dad's birthday.  This included playing in the pool, lots of yummy food, and meeting up with childhood friends.  Throw in a little shopping and it was a great weekend.

My daughter dancing around her grandparent's yard before the UF vs. UT game began.  We got the win!  7 years in a row!

A carousel ride:

Tropical banana yogurt with fresh strawberries and blueberries:

My sweet 18 month old nephew watching the koi:

This happy boy:

New Fall television shows.  Need I say more?  What are your favorite shows?  Anything new that I should be watching?

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Have a great weekend!

Ready For Fall!!!

Tomorrow is the first official day of the Fall season.  This is my favorite time of the year.  Having grown up in south Florida, I only experienced fall once at Thanksgiving time when I was about 10 years old.  After college, my now husband had accepted a job in Michigan.  I took a leap of faith of moved with him...right smack in the middle of winter and a snowstorm.  But the move was well rewarded once the following fall rolled around.  I got to experience late afternoon walks on leaf strewn sidewalks, a visit to a cider mill for fresh hot cider and doughnuts, and my first hay ride.  It is truly my favorite season.  Although I am back in FL, I am sensitive to the way the light begins to change in the afternoons and it makes me want to light up candles that remind me of fall.

It is going to be awhile until we will need sweaters here and we can wear our flip flops all year long.  But that won't stop me from daydreaming for chillier evenings and carving pumpkins.  In the meantime, I have been pinning fall decor and treats on Pinterest.  Here are some of the things I am looking forward to making and eating for this brand new season:

Every house needs a colorful wreath for the front door to welcome visitors:

Source: bhg.com via Monica @ Creative Gator on Pinterest

Pretty decor for the front porch:

Source: farleykids.blogspot.com via Monica @ Creative Gator on Pinterest

Fall Bucket List:

Source: blueeyedbride.com via Monica @ Creative Gator on Pinterest

Delicious cake pops:

Source: stutteringshell.com via Monica @ Creative Gator on Pinterest

Baking pumpkin scones:

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Monica @ Creative Gator on Pinterest

Pumpkin Spice Latte:

Source: google.com via Monica @ Creative Gator on Pinterest

Candy apples:

Source: foodnetwork.com via Molly on Pinterest

NCAA College football:

Source: espn.go.com via Emme on Pinterest

Dressing in Orange and Blue for my favorite team:

Source: None via Monica @ Creative Gator on Pinterest

What are your favorite Fall traditions? Are you planning craft fall decor for your home? What is your favorite way to decorate your house for fall?

It's The Little Things 2

I'm linking up again this week with Lindsay @ Aisle to Aloha for her "It's the Little Things" Friday link up party.




First up, last Friday I spent the day with my friend Kim baking cakes, brownies, marshmallow pops, and other assorted goodies for her husband's 30th birthday party:

My daughter "surfing"

Watching a rocket launch:

Spending time with my family at the beach:

Sand Angel making:

Crafting a Fall wreath for my grandparent's nursing home room:

Inspired by Beth's tutorial

I didn't bust out my camera very much this week.  I will try to do better this upcoming week noticing and appreciating the "little" things in my life.  I can't wait to see what made your list for the week.  Have a great weekend!

Halloween Costume Sneak Peek

My 4 year old daughter is going to be a peacock for Halloween.  I decided to make her a tutu skirt and had originally planned to rig a tail made out of real peacock feathers.  I looked around online for ideas but felt that it would be way too fragile for trick or treating.  Then one afternoon I came across a wearable peacock tail from Gymboree's Halloween collection.  Add in the matching tights and it was perfect.  I also ordered a turquoise leotard online.  I still need to figure out how I am going to embellish her headband.

Perfect for dancing and twirling:

Back view:

Skirt detail:

What do you think?  Isn't she the cutest little peacock you've ever seen?

Rocket Launch

We woke up early this morning and headed to the beach to watch a Delta II Heavy rocket launch.  The payload included two spacecraft designed by NASA to study the moon.  It is amazing to be able to witness these launches and feel the rumble of the launch.  I can think of worse things than spending the morning at the beach.

A 30th Birthday "Sweets" Party

Today I will be helping my friend Kim bake desserts and decorate for a little get together to celebrate her husband's 30th birthday tonight.  We chose all of the desserts from ideas pinned on Pinterest.  Here is a sampling of what we are planning to make:

Fresh fruit served in waffle cones:

Pinterest

Marshmallow pops:

Source: austinweddingblog.com via Monica on Pinterest

Rootbeer Float Brownies:

Source: cookiesandcups.com via Monica on Pinterest

Oreo Pops:

Source: hiphiphoorayblog.com via Renee on Pinterest

Chocolate Banana Bites:

Source: neverhomemaker.com via Meagan on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzels:

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Monica on Pinterest

It's The Little Things!

Happy Friday!

Today I am linking up with Lindsay from Aisle to Aloha for a "It's the Little Things!" link up party.  The idea behind the party is simple: to focus on and document the little things from our week that leave us feeling blessed.  No matter how small they may be.

Saturday, Sept 3rd:  First Gator football game of the year!  The Gators beat FAU 41-3 at their home opener.  My little cheerleader had a blast following along with all the cheering.

Enjoying a beer with my hubby.  Despite what the glass says it was a Kona Longboard Island lager.

Sunday afternoon, we went to the park after a trip to the pet store to play ball with Summer, our Sheltie on her 6th birthday.

No trip to the park would be complete without some rock climbing and a smile!

Rainbow Roll

Shrimp Tempura roll

Labor Day sushi dinner with friends.

After dinner stroll

Practicing with my brand new dSLR camera!

Puppy lovin'

Watching my little tapper in her classes each week.

Bunny balloon animal @ Kid's Eat Free night!

The peacock tutu I am working on for my daughter's Halloween costume.  

These pictures are a mix from my iPhone, Instagram, and my new Canon dSLR camera.  I am brand new to photography so I hope to learn a lot and show improvement.  Any tips or must read tutorials?  We had a nice, lazy Labor Day weekend and I am so looking forward to the upcoming one.  Do you have anything fun going on this weekend?  We will be going to a 30th birthday "treats" party, getting our free Chick-Fil-A breakfast, watching Gator football, and waiting on a new refrigerator to be delivered!

Thanks Lindsay for the link up party!  I'm looking forward to visiting everyone's blogs and learning more about each of you.