{ The Help }

I cannot put this book down!  The Help by Kathryn Stockett is about a group of high society white women and the black women who work as their housekeepers and Nannies. The backdrop is deep south Mississippi during 1960 when racial tensions are boiling and change is in the wind. One white woman, Skeeter, pursues her writing ambitions by secretly interviewing the black women who work day in and day out as the housekeepers of some of the town's socialites. If she or the housekeepers get caught, it could be dire consequences. Stockett's, The Help, evolves beautifully and many times heartbreakingly. It takes the reader back to a time when women wore white gloves to church, enjoyed casseroles after a game of Bridge, and where last names of families either opened or closed doors. But, under the crisp clean exterior of the families, the housekeepers see what really goes on behind closed doors and share this with Skeeter along with their opinions and emotions on segregation and racial tensions. I find myself thinking about this book throughout the day and thinking about the characters. Each time I sit to pick up on the story where I last left off, I get lost in the world of 1960 Mississippi.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Candy Wii

In my opinion, drugstores still reign supreme when it comes to fun novelty candies. They may no longer carry some of the novelty candies I grew up with like Sugar Daddy caramel pops. But, they certainly carry fun candies that satisfy my daughter's generation. My sweetie pie saw this Wii candy dispenser on a quick trip to the drugstore and thought it was the coolest candy gadget ever. Then again, it doesn't take much to impress her when it comes to candy. She is just like her Daddy that way.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Fairy Resting Spot

While walking I saw this small fallen piece of log laying in the path. I noticed how super pretty it was. I was going to pick it up. But, instead, I left it there as it was. I pointed it out to my daughter and we both agreed it was a perfect spot for a fairy to take a rest.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Muscadine Grape Season

You'll find us on any given weekend at the end of the summer amongst the muscadine grape vines of Blackberry Hill in Middleburg, Florida. We have been coming here for the past four summers when Muscadines are in season. I absolutely love their sweet scent and the way their skins have an iridescent shine to them. The kindest old man runs the small farm/vineyard and he sits by his jars of honey and his scale waiting to weigh the muscadines we have picked. The first time we ever came here, my daughter said the sweetest thing which I will never forget, "Mommy, do you think this is what Heaven is like b/c it feels like we are in Heaven together?"

Anatomy of Eating a Grape

First, you pop the flesh out of the muscadine skin

Then you eat it.

And then you spit out the seeds.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Pretty Little Thingamagigs

My grandfather once bought me the teeniest tiniest little cast iron stove I had ever seen---and that is what started my obsession for extra-small prettiness. Little itty bitty thingamagigs always catch my fancy. Aren't these pretty?

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Key Lime Coconut Cake

Guess what I made?---Key Lime Coconut Cake. Doesn't that sound yummy? I had a bottle of Nellie and Joe's Famous Key Lime Juice , a bag of shredded sweetened coconut and a craving for something tropical.

So here is what I did.

I followed the directions on the back of a Duncan Hines yellow cake mix box. BUT, I substituted 1/2 of the water amount w/ Key Lime Juice. I used two cake mixes and made two round cakes. Between the two cake layers, I used Smuckers Pineapple Preserves as a nice spread. Smuckers also has a Mango Jam which I think I would like to try next time I make this cake.

After the cake cooled, I tinted frosting with a drop of green food coloring to add a pastel green look to the cake. I have discovered that my local grocery store, Publix, sells their  butter cream frosting from their bakery in various ounce tubs. I love this frosting b/c it has won awards, it is made fresh daily, and it isn't as sweet as other butter creams so it is very nice, mild, and smooth. They also have a super yummo chocolate frosting which they make daily and it has also won awards. But, they do not sell that one in individual tubs----they keep it under lock and key. haha.

I frosted the cake and then added the coconut around the cake and on top. It was VERY good. However, it was a lot of cake for just the 3 of us to eat which meant others were able to enjoy it too. If I had just made one layer, I might have been more stingy with it. haha.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Backpack-Backpack

from Pottery Barn and Justice for Girls

My daughter rolls her eyes now and plugs her ears when ever I sing the Backpack Song from Dora the Explorer. Yup, this 3rd grader of mine officially considers herself "too old" for the toddler-oriented cartoon. Sigh. While shopping for a new backpack to start the school year she also told me that she does not want the same type of backpacks we have bought in the past and then she glanced at me as if she knew she had just broken my heart. Another sigh. For the past 3 years I have always bought her a backpack from the designer, Agatha Ruiz del la Prada . I love her childrens line of clothes and gear. However, Saylor really wanted to change her style this year and chose a Roxy backpack . I must admit, it is really very pretty. But, I can't help but wonder if we have now entered the phase which will last an eternity where she wants to have more of a say in her style and where I will have to sometimes put my foot down and say no or bite my tongue and let her express herself. 

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

3rd Grade Dollies

A little bit of grocery shopping after school. She wanted to push the cart and have her "baby"

and her purse in the buggy just like a real Mommy.

No, you are not seeing double. There really are two dolls dressed in school uniforms. My American Girl and Saylor's American Girl. Is this too cute or what? I saw this matching uniform doll dress at the school uniform supply store and knew my little doll would love having it for her little doll. My 3rd grader loves her American Girl dolls and especially loves when they can dress the same. And, of course, no dolly is ready for school without a backpack or lunch kit of her own. I found this doll backpack/lunch kit set at Pottery Barn Kids. Saylor filled the lunch kit up with coffee beans for Daddy while on a grocery shopping trip. So now the lunch kit smells like Starbucks. haha. She has been having a grand time playing school with her dolls in the afternoons. She is the teacher, of course!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

1st day of 3rd Grade

The year of the pink tennis shoes

This is her, "Mom, I am tired of taking pictures" smile

entering the chapel with her classmates

Is it really the end of summer and time for another school year? I feel like the same collective broken record with other parents who are scratching their heads and asking, "Gosh, where did the time go? I can't believe my child is starting a new school year." Sigh. Saylor is in third grade this year. I still feel like I am licking the wounds from where the apron strings were torn when she started Kindergarten 4 yrs ago.

My comfort is knowing that she goes to a fabulous school where she gets to learn about God and His abundant love on a daily basis amongst her peers. The teachers are phenomenal and she has the most energetic wonderful 3rd grade teacher this Mom could ask for.

So with a bit of reluctance, I fall back into the swing of things like packing school lunches, signing papers, spelling word lists, and checking homework while secretly hoping I could keep her at this age and grade forever. Then again, I said that last year, and the year before, and the year before that, and the year.....

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Remains of Summer

photo found here

I am a summer girl. I love summer far too much for it to end. If I was any of the girls in the above photo, I'd be the one on top with her arms outstretched totally blissed out.

 I love the laziness of summer days with the sound of locusts filling the air as if they are children humming into a fan vibrating their voices. I enjoy endless afternoons with my daughter far too much to have to wait a whole year before summer eases it's way back into our days.

photo from here

The last remains of summer leave me feeling melancholy. I feel like a child who has been told it is time to go home after spending only moments in a candy shop. Or I feel like it is similar to when you know you will soon have to say goodbye to someone who you aren't ready to see leave. If only summer and I could visit a little longer.

photo found here

In 3 short days, it will be back to the routine of packing school lunches and sending my daughter off to school--sticking to a weekly bedtime routine, checking homework, and signing papers. If only I could capture summer in a jar to keep on my nightstand.

Beach and pool days have been the best with my husband and daughter. I like how my husband gently rinses my ankles and feet with a bucket of ocean water before we get seated in the car. I feel like Cleopatra or a Greek Goddess.

photo found here

I love how simplified a day at the beach can be where the sound of my daughter's laughter carries out over the water like a message in a bottle. Can you hear her joy on the coast of Africa sailing over the waves as she dances on the sand here in Florida? Come back to me, Summer. I'll be waiting.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.