Papaya Beauty Smoothie, Birthdays and The 8-Week Healthy Skin Diet

.

Well.
I'm doing a bit of recovery today from a slightly hectic week.
Hence the pic of the Healthy Papaya Beauty Smoothie (more on that later).

We started the week with Bella's Birthday.

Store bought Ice Cream Cake. Walmart. $14.99.

Pre-Game Meal: Pasta and Simple Red Sauce

Today is Bella's 9th Birthday.

And truth be told she's a real sore loser.

That's one of my favorite parts about her.
She has heart.
She plays HARD.
She works HARD.
No need to yell at her.
She's already screaming at herself (or her teammate in her head).

But jeez Louise.
Sometimes I can't stand the moping.

The Cheapest Way to Cage a Tomato Plant is . . . . . . . .

I think

that 

if you really want to know 

what a person loves,

what they value,

you should look

at what they 

photograph.

Earth Week: Repurpose! Shower Curtain Rod to Purse Display. . . .

I said, I'm sorry.
I've said 'I'm sorry' before but its always been followed with, 'because', 'but', or any array of throw up words.

Never.
NEVER have I just said "I'm sorry." And then stopped.

I rang my husband on the phone.
Ring. Ring. Ring.

Him:  Hello. Warwick Speaking.

Me: I'm sorry.

Him: I accept your apology.

Silence.

Earth Day: REUSE!!! Repainting and Mending a Flea Market Chair.

He walked into the house, eyes squinting, head tilted, head half convulsing.

Him:   Nicole! Nicole! Did you know there is paint splattered all over the grass? And a bit on the sidewalk. And ON. THE. BRICK. OF THE HOUSE???  Did you know that?

I  look at him and purse my lips. I turn back around and continue combing Phoebe's hair.

Him:   Nicole. Seriously. It's like you turned the water hose on. . . then holding a paint brush full of paint . . .tried to hose it off, but it just splattered. . . .everywhere. . .on the house, on the sidewalk, on the grass. .. .Did you do that? Do you remember doing anything like that?

Smoked Turkey Links and Peppers in a Sweet Red Wine Sauce

Lately, I've been searching for something.
I've been spending the majority of my time either in Garden Nurseries, in my backyard digging, at Goodwill, or on Pinterest.

Shabby Chic Nightstand: Antiquing and old bedside table.

I can't believe I'm saying this.

I UNDERSTAND HER.

EUREKA!

EUREKA, I SAY!

I understand that poor misunderstood soul of a 12 year old daughter.

And I don't know how it happened.

It was like I was wishing it to be so badly.

I started looking for ways to connect with her.

Shopping.

Watching movies.

Reading the same books she was assigned at school.

And I failed at most of it.

Half doing it.

Or wanting to do it, and postponing it.

Or starting a book, and then never finishing it.

But you get the point.

I TRIED.