Fair Play

The Washington State Fair has always been a pretty big deal in my world - I looked forward to it every year as a kid, and although I don't go every year anymore, I'm pretty much just as excited about it as an adult. The animals, the food, just the whole thing - I love it! Held in Puyallup (say it with me kids: pew-AL-up), it's a bit of a trek to get there, but was totally worth it. Here's a snippet of our day at the fair:

The ferris wheel, of course.

Newly shorn sheep get chilly!

Ridiculous Alert: Apple Fries (pretty much individual apple pies)

Sums it up, eh?

Belgians. I'm so.very.happy when in a barn. Bliss.

Guinea pig judging. Naturally.

Last but not least, a little video dose of the Northwest: Chainsaw carving!

That last photo of the guinea pig judging makes me laugh every time. It was all so serious! Anyway, the rain held off, we ate a few variations of deep-fried-nonsense, and I got to wander around in barns of all kinds. Pretty perfect! Until next year, fair...

Random Round Up: Alive Again!

It's SO GOOD not to be sick anymore. Nothing makes you grateful for the day to day like being able to breathe through your nose again. Ahhhh. Enjoyed every minute of finally being up and running again this weekend:

Well hello, strange, horned caterpillar.

Organized jewelry = Feeling like I'm shopping!

Suddenly realized my entire home gym is royal blue...

Even 'The Big B' was ready for the Seahawks-49ers rivalry game - 12th Man Flag

Washington State Fair!! I was in heaven. More later.

Have a great week!

So, What Sound DOES a Fox Make?

This video has been the highlight of my week - Can't. Stop. Laughing.

Enjoy (and yes, it'll be stuck in your head, well, forever)...

Can't play it from this page? Here it is on YouTube.

Easy Upgrade: Closet Door Hardware

Okay, so it's not edge-of-your-seat riveting content here. But I just have to share it because really: Who doesn't like a cheap upgrade that takes 15 minutes? No one, that's who. Chew on that double negative.

On with the show! Honestly I don't remember picking up this package of closet door replacement hardware, but it's been hanging around for at least a year. It caught my eye this weekend, and grabbing an it-came-with-something-from-Ikea tool that happened to be sitting on the guest room bureau, I knocked this upgrade off the to-do list in about 15 minutes.

1 package = 2 pulls and 4 nails.

Gently loosening the edges...

...which in turn raised the tiny nails. Pry them out and lift out the pull.

Gold-be-gone!

 I'm sure there's a chicer, more preferable method for prying these guys out of your sliding doors, but I'm a use what you have kind of gal. Whatever tool you pick up, be very gentle so as not to damage your closet doors. But, ta-da! The before and after:

A subtle, but great, upgrade.

 The installation was a simpler version of the extrication: Pop in the hardware, make sure it's centered in terms of a nail hole level on each side, and push in the nails. I didn't require a hammer at all because the closet door is such a soft material.

Like I said, not a thrilling tale... Not even a huge impact like some other projects. But sometimes it's the little details that add up to making a room look like it has it together. And in turn, you might just look like YOU have it together.

Well... as long as the closet never gets opened anyway.

Random Round Up: Laying Low

It was a weekend-o-sickness at our house, cancelled plans and all. Luckily I'm on the upswing, so hopefully the hubs will be soon. And plans are just shifted to this weekend, so another week to look forward to 'em I guess, right?

Late bloomers.

Getting some extra heat coming off the oven.

Playing with faux leathers - No results yet, but I'll let you know.

Napping boys.

Spotted (ha) an owl on our daily walk - Ran back for pics.

Sorry for the delay in posting - Some strange Blogger glitch this morning. Happy Monday!

Back Yard Yield

It's a backyard mini-harvest 'round here. What is it that's so magical about walking into your own yard and picking a fresh snack? I don't know, but I love it.

The tomatoes I can't keep my hands off of, but there are too many plums to just hork down... What to do? Why, plum coffee cake of course:

It may not look spectacular, but I can't even tell you how good it is. So! Make your own (recipe via BigOven.com - I use the app and use it all. the. time. Go download it immediately.):

Ingredients:
1/4C margarine
3/4C sugar
2 eggs, separated
1 1/2C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2C skim milk
2C halved and pitted ripe plums (that's about 10 plums if they're the small,
                                                            backyard-tree kind I use)

Topping:
1/2C packed brown sugar (dark is best)
1 tbsp margarine
1 tsp cinnamon

How-To:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Grease a 9 inch pan. Cream together margarine, sugar, and egg yolks until fluffy. Combine flour and baking powder; beat into egg mixture alternately with milk. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry; fold into batter. Turn into prepared pan. Arrange plums over top.
Combine topping ingredients brown sugar, margarine, and cinnamon. Mix well (aka: squish it up with your fingers) and sprinkle over fruit. Bake 35 to 45 minutes until top of cake is lightly browned and fruit is soft.

Delicious warm, cold, or anywhere in between. Have at it, kids. Enjoy!

Random Round Up: Go Team

The last weekend of summer means the kickoff of fall... and fall around here means football season. A home-town college game and a fantasy football draft officially launched autumn at our house!

Football season calls for custom accessories.

Game day, game garb, game face.

Fantasy Football research - I don't mess around.

Seemed like an appropriate shirt for the Fantasy draft.

 It was also 'free access to U.S. immigration records weekend' on Ancestry.com, so I took full advantage of that (and signed up for yet another 14 day free trial...) - I made it all the way back to 1602 with one line from my mom's side. Incredible! Seeing the words "10 times great grandfather" is just mind-blowing to me.

Tracing my lineage.

 Happy fall and happy (short!) week ahead.