Best Side Dish For Labor Day! Mexican Style Corn!

We call this fabulousness  "Mexi-Corn".

Everyone who tries it says it's "CRACK CORN" LOL!!!! Sarina helped hubby make them and is now HOOKED!

We served it last night. You should make it this weekend!

• 5 ears fresh corn, husked 
 
For the Spread:
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• Juice from one lime
 
For the Topping:
• 1/4 cup grated Cotija cheese
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or chili powder if you want heat)
• Chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

ENJOY!!!!

Best Family Friendly Hotel- The Omni Homestead!

While we were camping in Virginia my Mom had the brilliant idea to break up the week by heading to the Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, VA. It did not disappoint!

I had been to the Homestead years earlier and remembered the gorgeous grounds and southern charm.

They have a spa that looked to DIE FOR!!!!!

But since I was with the kids we had more of a family experience. There are waterslides, a lazy river, a kids club, a kids camp, mini golf etc!!!!

They even had a duck race while we were there! So cute!!!!

 

There are so many things to do here. Golf, shooting, fly fishing, horseback riding and horse and carriage rides!

The restaurants there are top notch as well. We had a fabulous birthday dinner for my mom in the grand ballroom complete with dancing to the band. It was heaven.

The service in the hotel was impeccable and the kids had a ball! The perfect family friendly hotel! Did I mention the brand new arcade and bowling!!!!???

Meet The Teacher - Teacher Gifts!

As school starts again I have mixed emotions of not wanting the Summer to end but also wanting these kids OUT OF MY HOUSE. HA!!!!!

Might as well start the year off RIGHT with a MEET THE TEACHER GIFT.

I have a bunch I found that are just too cute. Which one should I do!?

1) Thank You Planter-

How cute is this from My Happy Place?
Chalk paint, a plant and a ribbon DONE!

2) Crayon Name Picture!

This is too cute but more advanced for sure from Melissas Bargains.

3) This Survival Kit is adorable.

 

Clean and Sensible has it as a Valentines Day gift but I think it's great for a meet your teacher gift too. 

4) Pencil Bouquet= AKA sheer brilliance from Less Cake More Frosting!

 

What do you think? Which one should I do? You should see what my bestie did! How great is this??? It's a door hanger!

Can you sit? In the pit?

Seems like the older I get the more hard times people are facing. I mean really hard times. It's easy to be with someone when things are fabulous....



But can you sit......




In the PIT?

The pit of despair? Divorce? Cancer? Infertility? Aging parents? Sick kids? Alcoholism? Drug abuse? Can you sit with someone while they go through this? Can you sit with yourself while you go through this?


It's tough.

When I was in the PIT. People came to sit with me. Not everyone could do it. One time my PIT was 52 days in the NICU with Landon. People visiting had to endure seeing one pound babies going into constant cardiac arrest. There were tears. There were hands held. There were a thousand prayers said.

Another PIT was at Childrens Hospital for three weeks with Coco. Mystery illness with no end in site. People came. They sat in the pit. They talked me off the ledge. They brought me lunch. They brought me dinner. They cried with me.

The pit is scary because we're sometimes not sure of it's the bottom or we have to GO DEEPER.  Going deeper than we're used to is frightening but enlightening. This is when we REALLY FIND OUT WHO WE ARE.  It's intense. For us and our friends. That's why not everyone can do it.


Please I beg you. If you have a friend who is in the PIT. Go sit with them. Even being there, bearing witness, means everything. Show them they are NOT ALONE.

The PIT may even be grabbing a drink with a friend even though you're tired. Or showing up with a meal. Or meeting for coffee. PITS can be mental and physical after all. 

AND if you're in the PIT you will make it out. There will be light coming in. Just wait for it.

 

I'm going to visit a friend in the PIT Tuesday while she has her second round of chemo. I'm scared. For her, for me, not knowing what to say or do....but I'm going. I have to. Because anyone who's been in the PIT knows. YOU HAVE TO GO. 

BE BRAVE.

Because you are someone's lifeline today.