what i wore // on cement

shirt // Kohl's

paisley skirt // Goodwill

scarf // Marden's

headband // handmade gift

flip-flops // old navy

Have any of you started school yet? I started on Tuesday. We have Friday and Monday off for Labor Day weekend, though, so it's okay. *smiles*

p.s. I scheduled this to post just as the bell rings to let school out. Just because I can.

pennsylvania trip

Hello, all! Today I am showing you just a little peep into our trip down to Pennsylvania to drop my older sister off at college. I'm not going to do a separate post for each day or 10 photos from each day in this post, don't worry. *smiles*

We listened to the first five books in the Chronicles of Narnia series between the 8-9 hour car ride there and back.

Our 11-man tent.

Lots of playground and swimming fun.

Welcome to Amish country, folks!

The countryside was absolutely amazing. If you have never been to Lancaster County, you need to go.

Big model train set-up.

{free!} tour at Hershey's Chocolate World to see how chocolate is made. Plus free samples. 

We visited James Buchannan's home at Wheatland.

Campfires and s'mores are a must, naturally.

Finally, saying good-bye to Abbie. 

Octobers

{via}

{via}

"I'm so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it?"

Anne of Green Gables

Fall is swiftly approaching. I am excited for many things, but also dreading a few. Once autumn fully arrives, I will embrace it as I did the sweet summertime. Routine, fall leaves, warm clothing, apples, baking, boots. So many things, so few months. It is a good thing that there are Octobers, is it not?

symphony of raindrops

Raindrops fall, a symphony of noises. Some distant and constant, others nearby and scattered. Some heavy, some light.

My tired brain is soother by their music.

A single glowing light shines for my pen as I race to slowly record my thoughts.

I have no idea what time it is, nor do I care.

I simply focus on the gray black sky outside my window and the symphony of raindrops.

cookies

This morning, I was babysitting my siblings. I decided that we would make cookies. I was peering into cupboards when I discovered that we had half a bag of milk chocolate chips and half a bag of white ones. Then I saw a big jar of peanut butter. These cookies are what came next. My family has pretty much the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. You see, it has peanut butter in it. Today I thought that I would share it with you all, you lucky ducks. *smiles*.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup butter

2 eggs

1 tsp. each of salt, baking soda, and vanilla

chocolate chips {I used 3/4-1 bag}

Mix together dry ingredients.

Add everything else but chocolate chips. Mix well. Soften butter a little if you would like.

Roll 1 inch balls, placing evenly on cookie sheet.

Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes.

Enjoy!

what i won

I won this camera strap in a giveaway over at A Ray of Sunshine from IMO*Camera Fashion. I was so excited to come home from camp and find the package waiting for me. I love it - the strap is soft on my neck, the colors are so nice and bright, and there is a lot of adjustment that I can make to the length. I am very excited to use it!

Camp was...

Camp was...putting rubber bands around a watermelon in an attempt to split it in half...doing hair and nails...taking care of babies and toddlers all week...pushing a lot of swings...spending time with some of my best friends...staying up past lights out doing devotions and talking...hiding under a tree for a game...waking up to rain outside my window...spending afternoons in the snack shack in the air conditioning...swimming...buying a $5 long sleeved camp t-shirt...saying good-bye for another year.

what i wore // hong kong

This dress that I ordered online came from Hong Kong. The material is really comfortable and good for summer. The patterns are really cool, plus I like long dresses. And my hair? It was in a bun yesterday and last night and that is exactly how it looked when I took it out. It made me kinda a little bit happy. My hair is always stick straight.

dress // amazon.com

tank top // old navy

sandals // payless

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Remember, what you do after a victory is as important as what you did leading up to the victory.

Since I last blogged...

My time since I last blogged has been spent going to the beach, working at camp, doing hair and nails, and celebrating Chloe's fourth birthday. I have a few post ideas floating around that I will try to post before we head down to Pennsylvania to drop Abbie off at college.Where has the time gone? But that's another post...

first day

Excitement fills the air. Children are laughing and talking, looking forward to the day. Counselors are talking with their campers, explaining and answering questions. Guitar chords begin to replace the sound of talking.

The first day of day camp has begun.