Fun Filled Weekend

Our weekend just flew by! But I guess that is what happens when you have fun events planned for all three days.

Hubby and I started the weekend off with a super yummy lunch date. We went to one of our favorite local restaurants, Fire Works Pizza and per usual they did not disappoint! Their combination of farm fresh local ingredients and wood-fired oven makes for some unreal pizzas!!! Hubby went with a boring old Hawaiian pizza. (Really I just don't get his obsession with pineapple on pizza. Hubby's note- Because pineapple and ham are amazing on pizza.) Normally I order the Sopranos but this time I decided to try something new and I am so happy I did. The RT was just perfect!!!

On Saturday morning B had an earlier time for her field hockey game which was just perfect for us since we all had to get ready for my niece's birthday party. Judging by this picture I think that it is safe to say that the birthday girl had a wonderful time. With pizza, cupcakes and a bounce house how could any kiddo not have an awesome time!?! After hours of running around with their cousins our kiddos had no problem falling asleep Saturday night.

And a good night's sleep was just what was needed since B had field hockey and M had lacrosse on Sunday. Hubby and I have been "dividing and conquering" this Fall season on Sundays. This week the boys headed from lacrosse to field hockey to cheer B on for a bit. Yesterday was the final try-out for the travel team and I was very happy to have company. I can't help but feel nervous watching try-outs. Please tell me that I am not the only one?

I am happy to report that B made the travel team. I am so proud of her! And I smile love how much she smiles when she is playing. It is a joy to see your child excel at something that they love!!!

All in all it was a wonderful weekend. The only thing that could have made it perfect would have been cooler weather. It is suppose to be Fall right!?!

TGIF XI

Since I am working on making-over our family room I thought that I would share with you some accessories that I simply "need". And by "need" I mean that I will only be buying this items if I find a money tree and/or we win the lottery!

{1} Blue & White

I just love these jars from Wisteria. They would be beautiful by themselves or with flowers. Since I already have lots of blue & white china in the front of the house as well as the back of the house, I think these beautiful pieces would help balance the first floor.

{2} Fabric

Ok these are not wish list items since I already have purchased all of the fabric that I need for my make-over. But I just could not help but share a little sneak peak since I am giddy about my new fabric!!!

{3} Ceiling Fan

Our family room is a two story room which gets a ton of beautiful, yet hot, sunlight. For that reason I would love to put in a ceiling fan. Hopefully someday soon we will install one but I don't think it will happen in 2013. 

{4} Cashmere Throw

Who would not love to be wrapped in a cashmere blanket!?! I would happily take the second cashmere throw from the bottom.

{5} Ottomans

I would love to find a replacement for our coffee table. And I am starting to think that an ottoman is the way to go. Hubby just loves to put his feet up after a long day, so an oversize ottomans seems to be the way to go. Too bad this ottoman starts at $1800!

Thank you so much A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness and The Good Life Blog.

A Little Help Please

I am in need of a little bit of help friends. Is it just me or is everyone else having problems with Blogger? First off I am having the hardest time just signing in. Then when I do finally get logged on to Blogger and I try to start a post it creates multiple posts that are the same. But only one of the multiple is the "real" post and if I don't pick the "right" one I can't publish a thing!

What am I doing wrong friends!?!

ORC - Week 1

I feel like this is a two for one - you get to see my family room as it is now and then you get to watch me slowly transform it. So not only will you be getting a little house tour but you will also get a make-over. What's not to love!?!

Our family room is a bright and open two story space. It is also part of an open floor plan so you can see the family room when standing in most of the other rooms on the first floor. You can look down into the room from the second floor. So after our two front rooms were updated this summer our family room has been calling for a little make-over. If not thing else I feel like it will help with flow of our home.

The room was painted a cheery yellow a little while ago. Since the paint is in good shape and  painting this two story room is not an easy under taking - the color stays for this make-over. The sofa and chair will be staying too. I had them re-covered this spring plus they are so comfy my family would revolt if I even thought of getting rid of them.

So what will I be changing for this make-over? The curtains for sure! They matched the old slip-cover and have seen better days. And after the curtains have been made-over I will be working on some new threw pillows to coordinate with the new curtains. I need to do something about our coffee table! Then I plan to freshen up the accessories. Oh and maybe some new lamps, too!

Man that's a lot to do in six weeks. I better get started!!!

You can also find me at Calling It Home.

One Room Challenge

Part of the reason that I started blogging was because there were so many bloggers out there that inspired me. Being a stay-at-home-mom can get to be a little routine and seeing other ideas for home products at times was just what I needed to mix things up at the Lobster Meets Peach Home.

One blog that really is an inspiration is Linda's Calling It Home. She is forever improving and re-decorating her lovely home. While she is re-decorating she takes you along with her via her One Room Challenge.  And this time she is letting us all join in on the fun!

Joining Linda in all the fun could not be easier! Linda even gave us topics to cover each week:

October 3rd - Tell us your plan and show us your space.

October 10th - What did you accomplish or learn?

October 17th - Any great shopping tips or DIY's you want to share?

October 24th - Did you need to make any changes to your plan? How's it going?

October 31st - Are you still with us? Are you happy/sad about any of your choices?

November 7th - You made it. Even if you are not totally finished, you are further than you were six weeks ago!

This is not the first time Linda has gotten me to "get a move on" in relation to my never ending list of to-do's. I had a ton of fun practicing in Linda's Project Procrastination and I am sure this will be a blast too! I hope you join in the fun. And if nothing else, come back tomorrow and see my plan for our family!!!!

Dumplings

I am not sure if it is the cooler weather that we are enjoying here in NoVa or maybe it is just the fact that I am feeling better. Either way I have really been in the mood to bake! There is just something about having my house smell of sweet treats baking on a Sunday afternoon. 

But since I am still playing catch-up from last week I knew I needed to bake something simple. So I went with apple dumplings. They might not be the prettiest of desserts but they sure tasted wonderful!

Apple Dumplings

1 refrigerated pie crust (I used Pillsbury)

2 apples, peeled and cubed

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon (you could use less but we just happen to love cinnamon.)

juice from half a lemon

Preheat oven to 350 and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl add apples, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Stir until apples are evenly covered. Set aside.

Roll out pie crust according to boxes instructions. Cut crust evenly down the middle, giving you two halves. Cut halves evenly down the middle, giving you four halves.

Divide apple mixture evenly among the four pieces of pie crust. Carefully fold the crust up over-itself, pinching the seems as you go. But don't fuss too much - they are dumplings so they don't have to look perfect!

Bake dumplings for 25 -30 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!

This is the face of a boy who takes his desserts very seriously! Doesn't L look like he is going to attack his dumpling? 

TGIF X

I know that I took a longer break than I thought I would this week but it was needed! It took me longer to recover than I thought it would but I am so very blessed to have family and friends that are always willing to help out when needed!!!

So without further ado my "5 for Friday"....

{1} Fall

I don't want to jinx things but it feels as if Fall is here to stay in NoVa. And I simply love Fall! Cool enough weather not to be sweating all the time but pleasant enough to be outside and play. And maybe if we get some rain soon our tree will start to turn into bright reds, yellows and oranges, although I do fear that might not happen this year.

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{2} Layered Looks

Now that the weather is getting cooler I start to think of layered looks. Button-downs and sweaters always make this preppy gal smile. My smile might be bigger if I had Olivia Palermo's wardrobe too. But that is neither here nor there!

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{3} PSL

While spending a week on the sofa surfing the web I could not help but notice how many people simple love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Many my fellow bloggers really are devoted fans of the PSL and look forward to it every year. But I have a confession to make...I have never tried one. I love Starbucks coffee and make it every morning and sometimes treat myself with one of their skim lattes but never the PSL. Am I really missing out?

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{4} Getting Back In The Kitchen

Not only did I take a week off of blogging but I also took time off in the kitchen too. It was not easy to do but it was so needed. But now that I am on the mend I am in the mood to bake this weekend. Not sure if I should make an apple or pumpkin pie. Life is filled with tough decisions! (Hubby's note- Either way I win!)

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{5} Pampering

Do not get me wrong, I have been beyond pampered by family and friends this week. But since I have to take off all my nail polish this past Monday, I feel like a trip to the local nail salon is in order. I am so in need of a great Fall color!

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As always thank you to A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness and The Good Life Blog. Have a wonderful weekend y'all!