My Very First Ever Guest Post

I guest-blogged for the first time today at my first and favorite all-time blog, Domestic Reflections!  What a thrill!  Hope you check it out.  I can't wait to welcome that girl home.  There may even be some cheese in it for me.  :)

She Schlepped Sea Shells

The kids and I jumped at the chance to join in on a playdate with friends C-Man and Juju and new friend Bug the other day. The sea shell craft that Bug's mommy brought along with her made it extra special. You can read all about this lovely summertime craft idea here.A dip in the pool afterwards was especially nice. Guess who did not think three was a crowd in the inner tube. Priceless.

Photo credits: Secret Agent Josephine

Girl Knows How to Eat Sardines

Sardines have been one of my favorite foods for a long time. Mentioned this to Jora the other day though, and she asked me if I've ever tried them on those AK-MAK whole wheat crackers from Trader Joe's with cornichons and Tabasco sauce. Um no. But you can bet I haven't eaten them any other way since. Um yummmmmm. Thanks, girl!

Cookie Monsters

When life gives us a really messy house and a really killer cookie recipe, we choose bake cookies over clean house any day. Too many cooks.
Chocolate chips go in. Chocolate chips come out.Caught red-handed!After only one semi-panicked phone call to Jora- tada! They took eighteen minutes to reach chewy, gooey goodness in my oven, so be prepared for some experimenting here. And note to self: Buy some sweetened coconut alreadyThese bowls didn't stay full for long!

The Sincerest Form of Flattery

Before I go too much further with this blog, I need to give credit where credit is due. I was a complete blog ignoramus until this past July when good friends Krista and Gil recommended that I read now good friend Jora's blog, Domestic Reflections. I checked it out, and was immediately hooked--as in pored over it several times a day, considered joining Blog Followers Anonymous--hooked. I absolutely love (and have come to depend on) Jora's insightful tips about fashion, makeup, travel, interior decorating--the list goes on. There is also great mothering advice, as well as heart-warming anecdotes about her adorable kids. It's just an all-around, feel-good, pleasurable daily (okay, thrice daily) read.

I also have Jora's blog to thank for getting my house organized (toy baskets, family photo displays), motivating me (of all people) to cook (cheese muffins, zucchini cupcakes, salad dressing, apricot crumble), and helping me to look, dress and even smell better. No small feat any of it. And as if all that weren't enough, Jora's blog inspired me to start this blog, which I can already tell will be the source of much pleasure. So thank you, Jora, once again, for your very cool blog.