lenten reprieve::third sunday of lent

I know really nothing about the novel "Everyone is Beautiful" by Katherine Center, but I found this sentimental excerpt from the book to be so very lovely.




ETA: I just checked out the book and it looks like a fun, light summer read. I am not generally big on light novels, but this looks promising for a post-lent quick read.

Hook 'em Horns!

From the paper today...

Texas takes over No. 1 ranking in both polls
By Suzanne Halliburton Sunday, October 12, 2008, 12:04 PM
Texas is the consensus No. 1, according to both major polls released Sunday.
Thanks to its 45-35 victory over then top-ranked Oklahoma, the Longhorns vaulted from fifth to first in the Associated Press and USA Today coaches poll.
It’s the first time the Longhorns have been No. 1 in a regular season poll since 1984.Of course, Texas was No. 1 in all the final 2005 national polls. Missouri, Texas’ next opponent, dropped from third to 11th in the AP poll after the Tigers loss to Oklahoma State late Saturday. The Tigers are 12th in the coaches poll.

a blessed exception

From mid-June to mid-August, the weather

forecast here in Central Texas is:

Sunny, Hot, highs in the mid to upper 90s

20% chance of rain.

It is so predictable, I rarely bother to
check in on the meteorologist's predictions
during the summer months. Which
would explain why I didn't know there was
a 50% chance of scattered showers today.

And how blessed we were to have a shower
scatter that glorious water down on us today.

The grass greened and grew in front of our very
eyes. I think it brought some new color into
the girls' eyes, as well.

The puddles, the mud, the magical sidewalk mirrors.
Little is more exceptional and welcome than a
July rain shower.

Baby O didn't know what to think.
Someday soon he'll be out splishing
and splashing through though those
irresistable puddles and catching raindrops
on his tongue.

frivoloty

Gabrielle of Design Mom always has the coolest goods on her site. But her recent post on the Beaba Babycook has got to be in the top ten. Check out this (albeit, quite overpriced and quite unneccessary) fabulous toy for the modern mother:





It is French and tres chic! The color, the design, and function...ooo, la, la! It steams, purees and even defrosts. Check out the demo video over at the Williams-Sonoma site.

looky, looky...a new site for books!!

I am swooning over this new site that Design Mom posted about today. Still in Beta form, Lookybook allows you to peruse, page by page, entire children's picture books. Of course there are reviews and ratings and you can purchase your favorites right from the site. By all means, go spend a little time over at Lookybook!

Summer Thirst

::Summer Survival::

Mint Hibiscus Iced Tea

::Summer Addiction::

Simply Lemonade

::Summer Love::

Izze Sparkling Juices

A Little Cheesy Fun

Straight from Italy, via youtube, a series of award winning commercials promoting parmigiano reggiano (aka, parmesan cheese). A must-see! The music, the costumes, the choreography...just watch & enjoy!

ETA: In all fairness, I should warn you that this piece contains a refrain that will not leave your head. All of us over here at the Suburban Ranch are humming, chanting and generally being driven mad by, as Amy phrased it, the "viral insidiousness" of the refrain. Even 20 month old Little Queen joins in with a catchy "Pa, pa, pa!"

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PA PA PA PA PARMIGIANO e
RE RE RE RE RE REGGIANO Oh-oh-oh

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HT: Amy at Openbook