The last day of summer...
The year is 3/4 over...

In January, I picked a word that would summarize the year ahead. A hopeful word. Optimism at its best. Energy.

Thought I'd give myself a progress report as we enter the fourth quarter. In three months, 2009 will be over.

Did I find energy? Was I energetic?

Yes and no.

I'd like to think I've been more tuned in, more conscious, more energetic this year. I've had my moments, my lazy, checked out moments. For the most part, this year was better than the past few.

Still...I want more. More energy. More of me. The me who gets out play-doh on a school night just because. The me who sits on the driveway to draw roads for the matchbox cars. The me that reads four books instead of two at bed time.

That me.

So as we head into fall, as we wrap up this great year, I will summon more energy. I will do more. To meet that goal that I set in January.

Energy.

Starting now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I Think It's My Favorite Cake

If I had to pick a favorite, this cake would probably be it. My mom's best friend used to make it for birthdays and I have always liked it.

I don't know if this is her exact recipe, but I googled the ingredients and came up with this one. We called it Pig Cake. No, I don't know why.

I think it's a great way to send off summer. Before the heavy foods of fall and winter grace our ovens. A light and fruity treat, the perfect end to a grilled meal.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 yellow cake mix
1 11 oz can mandarin oranges plus juice
2 T flour
3 eggs
3/4 C oil

Frosting:
1 8 oz carton cool whip
1 8 oz can crushed pineapple and juice
1 small pkg instant pudding (I use vanilla, recipe calls for coconut flavored)

Directions:
1. Mix cake ingredients together, spread in lightly greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until it tests done. Let cool completely, then frost.

I made this for Memorial Day barbecues and as I am typing this, want to make it again!

So Grateful

The calendar tells a different story, but we are in full autumn mode here. Having been back to school for almost a full month now, enjoying the first weeks of football season, and loving the cool nights that have blessed us with their return.

I have always enjoyed fall the most. It was always my assumption that it's because I'm a Libra and was born in October. The air smells differently, the sky is bluer, everything around me seems to exhale ~ ahhhhhhh.

The leaves are not yet changing color, but as they do I feel a sense of peace wash over me. I enjoy a cup of hot tea, a fuzzy sweatshirt, and the sounds of my children playing outdoors in the perfect weather.

I hope to spend the long weekend enjoying this time of year in full force. My folks will be here for a visit. We'll cheer on our beloved Huskers. We will eat our traditional football food and toast the togetheness. I thank God for this wonderful time of year.

A three day weekend, plans with family, football on the t.v. and sunny weather. What could be better?!