I Heart Faces Challenge- Hugs & Kisses

This is my beautiful daughter, Annie, and her favorite doll, Elizabeth. There are a couple of special things about Elizabeth:

1. Nanny and Boompa gave Annie this doll.

2. She is an American Girl doll, and she is brown like my daughter

3. She lives in the closet in a doll chest most of the year b/c Annie's neurotic mother is trying to keep her hair pretty. She does get to play with her from time to time. And, I have heard the American Girl doll store has a beauty salon. So, I am working through my neuroses...almost. The first step is to admit it, right???

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Texture Tuesday

 I decided to use the Phoebe texture with vivid light. Really liked the funky look for this delicious beverage. 

Fabulous Friday Challenge

Stuffed Eight Ball Zucchini

Not sure about you, but usually I think of cocaine when I hear the term "eight ball". Not sure if it is just the non profit industry I have worked in or too many crime investigation shows. I found these little eight ball zucchini's at our local farmer's market this past weekend. They were $1 each. This is what I used to make this meal:
2 zucchini's
2 tomatoes
1 Cup of Brown Rice
1 1/2 Cup of mozarella cheese
1 package of sausage
1 Tblsp of Italian seasoning
olive oil to saute the tomatoes and squash 

Core the zucchini and save for later. Steam the zucchini for approx. 20 min. While you are steaming your zucchini, you can start to boil your rice.

 Saute your zucchini guts (took out the seeds) and your tomatoes.

After you have sauteed your vegetables, add your sausage, and your cooked rice. Once everything has cooked, add your cheese and save a small amount for the top.

Once everything has cooked, stuff your zucchini with your mixture. Add some shredded cheese to the top. Bake at 425 degrees for approx. 25 minutes.

Voila! Enjoy. Our family ratings (1-10): Ben= 8.5, Annie= 100 (can you tell she is a people pleaser?), and Max= 5

Fabulous Friday Challenge

I Heart Faces Challenge- White

I love this photo of my mother and nanny. I am not sure what my mother said to my nanny to have her laughing so hard, but I will cherish this photo forever. It is raw, and I love it! For more great "white" photos, check out I Heart Faces. 

Royal Gorge Train Ride- CO

I thought it would be fun to take a train ride through the Royal Gorge. The trip took a couple of hours and basically you go down the track, pause, and return the same route. We brought along dominoes to entertain the children, and I think they enjoyed the game more than the ride. Oh well, live and learn. It was a fun experience, but not really feeling the need to repeat.

There are different seating options on the train, and we chose the glass dome car. There are also a couple of open cars, where you can go out and visit while the train is in motion. The Royal Gorge is definitely a tourist attraction. You can fly in a helicopter, bungee jump, ride a cable car, drive over the bridge, and/or walk over the bridge. So much to do, and it is really an amazing site!