monday monday

it was a busy monday around here today. a good busy. know what I mean?

tomorrow spencer is leeeaaving on jet plane to florida for a week with grandma and grandpa robb. he'll be there over his birthday, when he'll go to the Magic Kingdom for free with their Year of a Million Dreams promotion. this idea of him flying solo was good with me back when we made the reservations two months ago, now I'm getting a bit nervous. I know he'll be taken care of...both by his heavenly father and the flight staff...just a little nervous. (and since he's still awake after an hour and a half in bed, I'd say he's a bit anxious as well.) so in preparation for his trip, we ran a few errands before we zipped up the suitcase and backpack.

Target was on our list for a supply of sweet treats for the plane (just in case they don't serve anything spencer likes). while there, we HAD to drive through the school supply section. not for the boys, but for ME! I'll admit it, I get so excited when the seasonal section is cleared of summer furniture and the yellow bins are put in place for the Crayola to arrive. I get more excited about new crayons, markers, and notebooks than the boys.

I vividly remember coming home after the first day of school with the classroom supply list (when I went to school, the list wasn't shared with parents ahead of the start) and mom trucking my sister and I up to KMart to get every last eraser, crayon, and box of kleenex on the list. being a lover of all things organizational and handwritten, school supplies bring back fond schooltime memories for me.

then this afternoon, connor and I made banana bread together. yesterday I purchased 7 lbs. of bananas for $1.49 at the market! I always watch for the sale bags of cast off bananas. you know the kind... perfect for banana bread making as soon as you get home...no waiting necessary. my favorite recipe is from lisa. I hope you can read the ingredient list. the only other directions- mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl. in a separate bowl, mix all wet ingredients together. combine the two and bake. I use my stoneware mini-loaf pan, which yields 8 mini loaves per batch. I cook at 325 for 40 minutes, but if you're using a traditional loaf pan, the recipe calls for a bake time of one hour. another eight loaves tomorrow and my freezer will be full of blessing loaves for the school year. blessing loaves? for just the perfect moment to bless someone in an unexpected way- the bus driver, the teacher, the friend, the neighbor. I love being prepared for that! thanks for always being willing to share your wonderful recipes, lisa.

and after my oldest is gone and in the air, I'll be starting a new christmas cross stitch project and book to keep me busy. not that I'll need something to keep my attention. connor is already planning our week for us- putt putt, special meals, pool time, and the list goes on...

I hope you're enjoying the special moments of summer!