Sleepy, but.... still thinking retail and "kid stuff".

Do you know this line of clothing? You should. Really cute for little ones.

Some good recipes for kids here.

An old favorite of mine .... some good ideas for kids' rooms, nurseries, etc. here. Floor coverings mostly, but... the new stuff is cool.

Back to school shopping has started (believe it or not), so... get started - I would start with shoes here - because they always sell out first (before uniforms, etc.).

Looking for stuff to do with your kids in Western PA this summer, AND running out of ideas? Check this out.... a couple of ideas (and a good resource all year round).

Photos: More summer "stuff" :-) - some "off to camp" photos - some "mill about the house" photos - sparklers from the 4th - all within the last few weeks....

Insomnia Day 2

UP again. For hours. Seems to be no end in sight. A lot on my mind lately. As you know, family "stuff" is bothering me. I may come off snarky and flippant, but... I'm sad ... AND concerned. More on that later ... a post for another day, as I like to say.

Thanks, all - who offered help / support regarding my last sleepless post. Anyway, thinking (and posting photos - Mt. Washington - here in Pitt) of my lovelies ....

Still not thrilled with Top Chef. See my blog list for a post better than I can produce at Serious Eats regarding the latest.

Olive Juice still doing their crazy clearance sale (again, $60 dresses for $15, etc. - cute kids' tennis stuff, retro looks, etc.). Nordstrom's anniversary sale starts tomorrow. And.... just got my Wishcraft (by Chasing Fireflies) Halloween catalog in the mail. I so love Halloween..... Can't wait (though am enjoying the pool, gym, lazy evenings on deck routine I have going on now. Fall is my favorite season, though).

Slackin' lately... I am TIRED.

What do you do when you can't sleep?

Wander the dark, dewey backyard deck and look at the sky - listen to the rainwater drip from the trees?

Make some tea?

Watch a movie?

Write hypothetical letters to those you love - those you wish loved you?

Do some yoga?

Look at photos?

Wrap up the loose ends of the day?

Remember a very good day?

Blog?

I kinda do it all.... Signed "sleepless in Pitt" :-).

Laughing here because, for me, that cheesey old movie (insert Seattle - see above "signature") plays over and over in head since it previews on one of the movies my boys (and Lil) love to watch in the car. Always influenced by Olivia, they often enjoy "chick flicks" ;-). And ... I just noticed that "shabu-shabu" is highlighted on Serious Eats this am (see that blog list again :-), and... years ago, for some reason.... that was one of Olivia's nicknames for Enzo as an infant (she and her friend, Eliza). Giggles. Maybe I will be able to go back to sleep after all....

A few EASY summer recipes.

So .... here is an easy and tasty pasta salad: Elbow or rotini or other small pasta - peas (I use organic flash frozen - and I like a lot in my salad - though you can customize :-) - thinly sliced baby or pickling cucumbers - thinly sliced mild white onion (I'm thinking even a shallot) - your favorite homemade vinaigrette or, for store-bought, I like Brianna's New American (has a balsamic taste) with maybe a splash of mustard - and if you're not doing low fat (and your dressing will have fat, but it is the very necessary "good fat" if you get or make one with an olive oil base), go ahead and shred some sharp cheddar or parmesan cheese over the top (after you have appropriately boiled, drained, mixed, etc. - of course). Very tasty.

AND - this may sound a little odd, but... in an interesting twist on Sundaes (and this really only works with chocolate ice cream - not yogurt - not vanilla, so....) - go ahead and scoop your chocolate ice cream - drizzle some Extra Virgin Olive Oil on top - sprinkle some sea salt - then another little drizzle of maple syrup - OR go without the syrup and simply enjoy the fruity olive oil and the salty chocolate goodness. A friend of mine in California frequents a sundae shop where this is a favorite. VERY good.

And.... I can't believe I haven't talked this up before, but.... 4C green tea mix is the best. Higher in sugar, of course, than tea you make yourself - but quick and easy (like the above treats), which is what I am ALL ABOUT this summer.

Quick question: Are you guys like me and... if your little ones don't finish their PB & J sandwiches at lunch, YOU end up eating them - dipping them in chicken noodle soup or something - on the run - when calories and fat "don't count"? Totally undermines my diet plan. I just had a similar mac and cheese conversation with my friend in food and neighbor with whom I consult on many of these important issues ;-). So... do you commit such diet faux pas? I need to know :-).

More summer fun.

Had to pass on watching friends perform acoustically at Club Cafe last night because time just got too tight (and wish I would have remembered ahead of time to send some of you that way :-) - gym, boot camp, nothing to make for dinner, kids who wanted to play outside past bathtime..... Night before, we tried out our new fire pit (the kids insisted despite the humidity), and we strung some white lights on our deck for ambiance. Nice evening. We sat and sipped while the kids ran about catching lightening bugs.

Shopped T.J. Maxx with Olivia yesterday and, while at one time I was overwhelmed by it (loved it in high school - was over it quickly, though...), I quite like it now - found a cute shirt for Lil - saw some swimming stuff for the boys - closet organization stuff for Olivia - plus she found some cute shorts and shirts. We scored some gumballs for our retro gum machine that sits in Olivia's room (and has been empty for months). Now, however, Lil and Milo are obsessed with it - have been in her room non-stop (last night, we discovered Olivia's white communion cross missing, her candle "smooshed", her hair brush smeared with candle wax and more - and, Milo with candle wax in his hair... hmmm....). Anyway, they each have 12 cents to spend today. I'm sure it will be gone by noon.

Taylor Lautner at Hampton High School today to film Abduction (heads up from Olivia). I think I see a trip to Hampton High School in my very near future :-). Again, being commanded by the teens... But - fyi, all - I hear they are putting in extras on site.... so.....

Photos: Grilling, making lemonade and waking and finally ambling down the steps at noon. Ahhh.... summer.