Friday, August 26, 2011

Happy National Dog Day 2011!

Did you know it was National Dog Day???
How are you celebrating???

I am going to start the party by showing you a couple of pictures of my fuzzy mut, Macy:
This was taken right after she got her "summer hair cut" and she wasn't too pleased.
But, I just love those big, old, brown eyes!
Here she is, feeling a bit better about her new do!

From the National Dog Day Website I found these 50 ways to celebrate the Canines in our lives:

1. Adopt a dog from your local shelter or pure breed rescue organization. Volunteer at your local shelter and offer to walk a dog or play with a dog, clean cages or anything else they need help with.

2. R U prepared for a new dog? Purchase
"The Good Behavior Book for Dogs" {Rockport/Quarry Books} to help you with everything you need to know to raise a well behaved and happy dog!


3. Donate blankets, food and toys to organizations such as
Blankets of Love.

4. Organize a peaceful demonstration in front of your community pet store that sells puppies.

5. Write your Congressman and ask that he/she support the ban of Puppy Mills in your state.

6. Assist an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their dog.

7. Have a National Dog Day party and invite all your friends and their dogs!

8. Join a fun, dog friendly community online and post pics of your pooch for the world to ooh and ahh over!

9. Host a National Dog Day event to raise money for your local animal shelter.

10. Have a
Witty Wocks made to preserve the likeness of your dog forever.

11. Have a
portrait paintedof your dog to suspend the fleeting magic of dogdom.

12. Buy your dog a fun new dog toy.

13. Give your dog some fun exercise by taking him or her to a doggy play resort.

15. Brush your dog to eliminate excess fur.

16. Give your dog a massage or holistic spa treatment.

17. Get your dog some leash training lessons.

18. Buy your dog a cute new outfit or fashionable collar and leash.

19. Purchase a fabulous new carrier for your small breed dog like this one from
Mommy Bus
.

20. Take your dog to the beach.

21. Throw out all your chemical cleaners and purchase non-toxic cleaners for your home to keep your dog cancer-free!

22. Dog-proof your home and yard with a "dog safe" inspection by pet safety expert, Colleen Paige

23. Buy your dog
a beautifully designed original accessory like these beaded collars from ZanyZak.

24. Install a car safety harness to keep your dog safe during travel from

25. If you haven't already, switch to a holistic brand of dog food to keep your dog healthy.

26. Hire a pet photographer to capture your dog's life moments, such as
Susan Sabo.

27. Pamper your dog in pure luxury by purchasing something fabulous from a popular shop.

28. Buy your dog a chic and comfy new bed.

29. Take your dog on a pet friendly vacation.

30. Buy yourself and your dog some matching tee shirts!

31. Create a profile and share your dog photos at
Purina's petcentric.com

32. Have a custom Dog House built for your dog.

33. Buy a dog gate to keep your dog out of hazardous areas of the home.

34. Dog-proof your pool to prevent the risk of drowning.

35. Buy a canine first aid kit and put it in your car in case of injury while away from home.

36. Microchip & I.D. Tag your dog so the shelter can locate you if he gets lost.

37. Make sure your dog has all vaccines and a regular health exam.

38. Wear a tee shirt with a cute dog on it.

39. Switch to filtered water only from now on, to prevent illnesses related to toxins in normal water supplies.

40. Teach your children and their friends to be kind to your dog by never pulling on his ears or tail.

41. Pledge to walk your dog every day for proper health and behavior management.

42. Teach your dog some obedience skills.

43. Take your dog to an elderly community and spread some love.

44. If you like your little dog to snuggle in bed with you, buy him some doggie steps to make it easy for him to join you.

45. Buy your dog a designer crate that fits with your interior décor style.

46. Make your home pet friendly by choosing pet friendly fabrics that hold up to your dog's wear and tear.

47. Install a fence around your unfenced yard so your dog can run and enjoy some freedom at home.

48. Pledge to never chain your dog to a tree or doghouse. Always include your dog in your family by letting him live inside the home with you.

49. Carpet any stairs you may have to reduce risk of injury to your dog by slipping and falling.

50. And last but not least - pledge to never yell at or hit your dog...to be patient and kind and give your dog lots of love and praise every day.


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Sweet {Semi} Wordless Wednesday




Gumball.com



Forever More Events



Candy Buffet by Becky



Jerry's Nut House



Budget Dream Weddings



Orange County Event Services

In honor of the sweetest Daphne @ Flip Flops & Pearls!


And the winner is....

Sara from Simply Sara!!!!  Sara wins the 2 Preppy Girls personalized towel wrap!

Sara, please email me your information bellamichellesc@gmail.com  (or you can leave it in a comment and I won't publish it,as I have comment moderation.) Congratulations and I hope you love your towel wrap!


Y'all be sure to check out Sara's blog also, it is so cute! 


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Back to School and Welcome to High School!

My boys went back to school today!  It was a little different for DS1, as it is his 1st Day of High School!!!!  I just can't believe he is there already and I know all to well how quickly the next four years will fly.  Many times in the recent days I have thought about how tiny and small he was when he first went off to school.  Wow, how times have changed. Here he is in his 1st grade picture! 

The 1st Day of School is always a "Mama Drama" day for me as I kinda feel sad when I have dropped them off and know that we are yet another year closer to the end of their school careers; but on the other hand, this year, I was glad for them to go back because I have been craving routine that we don't seem to have in the summer months.

DD has been back at college since July 31st so I think once she went back the boys and I got into the "back to school" mode so they were ready for the school year to begin as well. 

We had a smooth 1st morning, with everyone up, dressed, fed and rooms straightened with time to spare.  I hope that is a sign of things to come!!! 
This is going to be a great year.


Thursday, August 11, 2011

Another GREAT giveaway!!!

I am super excited (doesn't "super excited" make it even better?) to be hosting a giveaway from 2 Preppy Girls!  IF you aren't familiar with 2PGs you need to check them out for all your personalized and monogrammed needs...such CUTE things!!!!
AND

2 Preppy Girls is offering to one lucky Southern Somedays reader this adorable zebra spa/shower wrap - in YOUR choice of Lime, Pink or Black and they will monogram it too!

Of course, this cute shower wrap isn't the only adorable thing on the 2 Preppy Girls site.  This season has seen the arrival of some adorable things for back to school and on the sports field...so from the shower to the course 2 Preppy Girls has got you covered.

Please check out the wonderful all the goodies in the 2 Preppy Girls Pro Shop!

To enter for a chance to win the 2 Preppy Girls Giveaway please:

1. Fan 2 Preppy Girls on Facebook HERE
2. Follow 2 Preppy Girls on Twitter HERE
3. Visit the 2 Preppy Girls site and tell me what your favorite Proshop item is in your comment.

*one comment is all that is required to let me know you have completed the requirements

I will pick a winner on August 19th!



Thursday, August 4, 2011

Garden & Gun on Redefining the Southern Belle


Y'all know I have an on going love affair with magazines and particularly with Garden & Gun, but this month the G&G folks out did themselves!  Writer,  Allison Glock, tackles that near and dear to my heart subject  of the Southern Belle in her article, Redefining the Southern Belle . Glock does an amazing job sharing insight into the wonderfully complex and beautifully elegant creature known as the Southern Belle!  Now, go read (and if you haven't already, subscribe to Garden & Gun!)



Wednesday, August 3, 2011

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

My neighbors often release Chinese Sky Lanterns (also known as Wish Lanterns)
into the night sky and I love it! I think they are magical.



Monday, August 1, 2011

Back to School Meal Planning...What do you do to make life easier?

My sweet blog friend, Leigh @ Hines-Sight Blog is having a fun link up today that is so timely for those of us getting ready to get on the "Back to School" train (a train, by the way, that flies at the speed of light it seems).  Leigh is hosting a Meal Planning Made Easy linky party to help us get motivated with new ideas and recipes for the busy school year! 

Knowing this linking party was coming up and seeing as how I am desperate to start this school year being ultra organized (yep...a bit obsessive...but that is the way I roll) I couldn't resist picking up this little recipe booklet from the Taste of Home folks. It is filled with some yummy, healthy and most importantly... quick and easy recipes.  I particularly appreciate how many of the recipes give instructions on how to make ahead and how to use them from frozen!  There are offerings for breakfast, lunch, dinner, healthy snacks along with some slow cooker recipes. I can't wait to try many of the recipes because so many sound like they will be big hits with my boys. 

The 1st recipe I am going to try is:

Good-Morning Granola (submitted by to TOH by Mary Bilyeu from Ann Arbor, Michigan who says, "This is ridiculously easy to make and has lots of healthy ingredients. It's a great way to start your day and keep you going. With pretty packaging, this tasty granola makes a nice gift or bake sale item."

4 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries

Step 1  In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, honey and oil. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and mix well.

Step 2 Transfer to a 15 in. x 10 in. x 1 in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3 Stir in dried fruits. Store in an airtight container.  Serve with yogurt if desired.

As far as back to school prep., I have already managed to do all our back to school shopping, clothes and supplies included so I am feeling so ahead of the game, especially since school doesn't start until August 16th!