Yay...a vacation...

The girls and I had a long vacation. We took my mom with us. Had tons of fun. Stayed with my Grandma and Aunts. My one Aunt is going through a lot right now. I feel so bad for her. But I think our visit did her a lot of good. She loves my girls so much. She spoils them ROTTEN! Well, my mom and Grandma do too, lol.
The first day of our vacation we took my grandma to Sam's Club. She has a hard time getting out of the house to do stuff so that was good for her. After doing all her shopping there, she and one of my aunts went back home and my mom, Debbie, the girls and I all headed to the mall. It has been a long time since I have been to that mall. However, I must say it is still my favorite mall ever!!!
We hit Macy's first. I LOVE that store. Found some great buys on back to school clothes for Kat.
Next we hit the food court since we had be up and at em since 7 am and none of us had eaten. Kat wanted to go to this grilled sub place. YUM! She got a grilled italian sub and did not end up liking it. So I traded her Arby's for her sub. It was really good, I thought. It was grilled salami and ham with italian seasoning.. then they top it with provolone, lettuce, tomato and italian dressing. Good stuff!! Kat just is not a huge fan of italian dressing.
Then we went to Icing by Claires and got the twins ears pierced. I was sooooo proud of them. They held still and didn't cry. Well, ok Mo cried for like 10 seconds AFTER the 2nd ear was pierced. And I do not mean like right away either. I think the bang scared her. And yeah, the girl had to do one ear at a time cuz she did not have anyone else working with her. But we managed to get the twins both pierced with cz's and 2 bottles of cleaning solution for each all for under $30! And again, this is an example of Debbie spoiling them, lol. No wonder all the girls love her so much!
We also hit Webkinz World (Hallmark) for some birthday gifts and cards.
And of course The Limited Too! Had to get the backpacks before they were sold out, lol. We all know what a race it is to get those.
We had to get back home after all that because I needed to travel to another Sam's Club, an hour in the other direction, to get a tent that we had been wanting. All the other Sam's Clubs were sold out of them. They even checked the computers... bleh. But this is the Swiss Gear Cottage tent. And I mean this thing is the size of a flipping cottage, lmao! Gotta love end of season sales!
The second day was the fair day. We spent the entire day at the fair. Debbie got all 5 kids (my 2 cousins included) a wristband and they rode rides until they closed, lol. That was a good time. No other fair like it around!
So it was about 1 am when we returned to my grandmas from the fair.
The next day we cleaned Grandmas car for her and edged her lawn, etc. Spent time with her. She got out of the house and went on a walk with us in her powerchair.
Then we headed back home... stopping at the mall on our way to grab a couple of more outfits for Kat from Macy's.
We were ready to be back home, but we had a great time!

We have a weiner folks...

Everyone kept telling me to enter my 'something blue' purse in the local 4H fair. I've never done anything with 4H so this was all new to me, lol. Anywho... the women at the fair where just going nuts over it. They all wanna know how to make them and want me to join their homemakers club, etc, etc.
So the purse won First Place, Honorable Mention for Best of Show and Reserve Champion. Not bad for a first timer I guess, lol.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

This sounds soooo yummy!
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) 1 1/2 pounds ground sirloinSalt and black pepper1/2 teaspoon allspice (eyeball it)4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 large onion, cut into bite-sized pieces3 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces1 bay leaf1 quart chicken stock1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 cup orzo pasta 12-15 basil leaves, shredded or torn Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to pass at table

Heat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat with EVOO. When oil is hot, add beef and season with salt, black pepper and allspice. Brown the meat, about 5 minutes, then add garlic, onions, peppers and bay leaf, and cook 7-8 minutes, until veggies are tender.

Stir in stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil.

Add pasta and cook to al dente, 7-8 minutes.

Turn off heat and fold in the basil.

Serve in shallow bowls with grated cheese on top.