Pintertest Kitchen 24: Pina Colada Bars

I read last week that pineapple starts labor.

And I need help, people.

So I decided to sift through my pinned pineapple desserts.

And I found one.

I present to you Pina Colada Bars.

They are quite delicious.

And easy to make.

Even when you're crazy pregnant.

I made them on Tuesday.

And had some for breakfast on Wednesday.

And lunch.

And dinner.

And will probably do the same thing tomorrow.

You know.

To get this party started.

My pictures are not the best.

Because nothing I do at 40 weeks, 2 days pregnant is the best.

You should see our laundry.

Original recipe here.

What have you been up to this month?

Grab a button in the sidebar and link up below!

Not So Labor Day

Due date is here.

And she seems very cozy.

And not very concerned that I'm not.

So I'm assuming it will come and go.

The girls started school and have settled into a nice routine.

They love their teachers and we're looking forward to a smooth, fun year.

Ashlyn is adjusting to her mainstream first grade class effortlessly.

She loves having her own big desk and dry erase board.

She also ordered hot lunch for the whole year by mistake.

Kim hosted her 3rd Annual Mug Swap and it was quite the hit.

Over 800 ladies exchanged fun little surprise packages.

Natalie sent me this.

I sent Jaime this.

And ran into Kim at the post office while doing so.

So that was fun.

And now have two new blog friends.

And a cute purple mug.

And cute straws.

And a pennant stamp.

And a cute hankie.

I love blog friends.

And purple mugs.

And fun extras.

Thank you, Natalie.

Also.

Baby or no baby.

Pintertest Kitchen is THIS Thursday.

I made a no-bake pineapple dessert.

Because it's 5000 degrees and I read yesterday that pineapple promotes labor.

So I've been eating it like crazy.

But I don't think it's working.

Zero contractions and my tongue has acid burn.

So, anyway.

Consider this your friendly reminder to come back on Thursday and link up.

And Holland, consider this your friendly reminder to SHOW UP.  Period.

My tongue hurts.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

The Days Before You Were Here.

Dear Baby Girl,

We are anxious to meet you.

Your due date is 6 days from now.

September 2.

As of yesterday, you were the size of a mini-watermelon.

But you feel more like a gigantic watermelon that wins the contest at a redneck fair.

You are active.

Especially at night.

Sleep is scarce.

But I think it's God's way of preparing me for your first days.

Weeks, maybe?

Not months, though, ok?

Thanks.

I want you to know about life before you.

These last days of summer.

Our life preparing for you.

I want you to know how much your church family loves you.

So many ladies came to welcome and celebrate you.

Kim, Ellen, Cindy and Laura went to great lengths to plan to perfection.

Fun.

Crazy.

Thoughtful.

So them.

"Ready to Pop" was the theme.

Gourmet popcorn.

Cake Pops.

Pop Rocks for favors.

And a full brunch spread.

They prayed over you.

Over us.

Over our family.

You are more blessed than you know to be born into such a loving and kind church.

These women have so much to teach you, Holland Joy.

I can't wait for you to meet them.

We went to Disneyland without you.

Sorry about that.

Blame Nan and Pops.

I mean.

Technically you were there.

We also went to Legoland.

Your older sisters are currently obsessed with Chima Lego toys.

At first I thought a house full of small plastic blocks would mean an end to my sanity.

But actually they have kept them busy most of August.

And they are the only thing in the house the dog has zero interest in chewing.

Well, that and his chew toys.

Thank you, Chima.

Get it together, Lincoln.

Your sisters shared a shake by the seashore.

Kayla says she's ready to share with another.

Ashlyn says: "So many girls!!"

Daddy says amen to that.

We also visited some of our favorite So Cal friends.

Friends you are going to love, Holland.

Friends who can't wait for you to be the seventh little silhouette in a crazy bunch.

Your family and your Nana's amazing friends love you, too.

Susie hosted a shower for you.

It was such a lovely afternoon.

With the women of our family.

And women who are like family.

Yummy steak and salmon.

Spinach salad.

Nothing Bundt Cakes for dessert.

Beautiful, thoughtful gifts.

So many adorable outfits.

You are spoiled, little girl.

And better dressed that your mama.

Let's just say you won't be wearing the same outfit twice.

School starts for your sisters tomorrow.

They said goodbye to summer with one last swim.

And Lincoln got a rough first haircut.

He'd like some time before your arrival for things to grow out a bit.

We can't wait to kiss your face, baby girl.

We hope it's soon.

August 10 on 10. And a Winner.

And that's a wrap, Saturday.

Also, congrats Mrs. Van Nuys!

You and your pit stain removal won Katy's print.

Thank you to all who linked up to Pintertest Kitchen this month!

Pintertest Kitchen 23: $10 Linen Closet Makeover

I saw this pinned a few weeks ago.

In all my pregnant, frantic, nesting splendor.

I had to make it happen.

Our sheets have bugged me since we moved into our house over 2 years ago.

They were all over the place.

In separate bedrooms.

In baskets under beds.

In drawers.

In the garage laundry area.

I get hives thinking about it.

We never had a true linen closet in our old house.

And though we had space for one in the new house, I never made it happen.

Until last week.

And I couldn't be happier with the results.

It makes me want to change sheets more.

Or at all.

Until I remember my rapidly growing lop-sided alien belly which makes walking difficult.

Much less pulling that Cal King fitted beast over our pillow top.

So I mostly just stare at my closet.

It's just so pretty.

And was very easy to put together.

About 45 minutes, start to finish.

Ready?

OK.

We're going to have to talk about the Dollar Tree for a second.

I will confess I have issues that I can't really explain.

It just all seems too good to be true.

I feel like $1 dish soap can't possibly work the same way $3 dish soap can.

And it's not worth the $2 to figure out why.

And I just don't trust $1 flea medication.

Impossible.

And don't get me started on shampoo.

But baskets?

I can handle baskets.

I bought ten.

And was out the door for $10.90.

I had the tags and ribbon at home.

So that's all I spent.

If you don't have tags and ribbon on hand, you can pick them up at any arts and crafts store.

I got these at Michael's a while ago.

It's a small closet.

Underutilized.

With lots of non-dollar store products.

That were easily moved up higher or relocated to our bathroom closet.

Hi Lincoln.

Isn't he cute?

I'm a firm believer that dotting your lettering makes everything right with the world.

And makes any handwriting glorious.

You can also print labels or use stamps.

Simply tie your tag to your basket with coordinating ribbon.

Or be rebellious.

Whatever you want.

The original pinner used a combo of lime green and light blue baskets which I loved.

Our Dollar Tree only had lime green and a very Christmas-y red.

And $1 flea medication.

I'm all for celebrating Jesus's birthday.

But I feel like it would have been a bit much.

End result?

A super organized and super functional linen closet.

Everything in one place.

All for $10.

Thank you, Dollar Tree.

I take back some of the things I say about you.

But you can keep your shampoo.

This month is special.

My friend Katy is giving away this cute print to one lucky linker.

Link-up closes at midnight on Friday, August 9.

Winner will be chosen at random and announced Saturday, the 10th.

Be sure to grab a button in the sidebar and link up below for your chance to win!

Summertime.

My parents and Kayla left on an airplane for Sea World yesterday morning.

They will spend 5 days there celebrating her 10th birthday.

Dave got 2 free passes to Great America from a co-worker.

So Ashlyn gets to go there today.

We figure she doesn't need to know the difference.

Swimming with dolphins in paradise.

A fermented smelling log ride.

Tomato.

Tamato.

Summer has been good to us so far.

Lots of puppy micro-management.

She's real bossy.

And he's already too big to be held like that.

Birthday celebrations.

At CPK.

For the sourdough bread, primarily.

My girl.

Vet visits.

He gained 7 pounds in three weeks.

Mostly from ingesting flip flops.

Cooking camp with Chef Noni.

They made us lunch on the last day and I'm still not quite sure what it was.

A low key Fourth of July.

The Sterno was MIA so we used a Bath and Body Works votive.

Ocean Breeze S'mores, if you will.

And a REAL bunny came to visit.

Lincoln who?

Lots of checking in on dad.

And drinking unsweetened iced green tea like mom.

Summer school.

Safari adventure.

As if she hand-picked the theme.

IHOP breakfasts.

Day made for $4.99.

Hope launched an additional service on Wednesday nights.

We meet at the Peninsula Chinese Alliance Church in San Mateo at 7 pm.

Ashlyn is super relieved we finally get to go to a "real church" with "lots of toys."

Church planter kid problems.

Dave is preaching a series on forgiveness and it's GOOD.

And challenging.

You can listen here.

And be mad at him for challenging you.

But you will also learn how to forgive him.

Reading with Grandmums.

Fossil hunting and rock collecting at the Dinosaur Exhibit.

Grandma CeeCee's birthday dreams come true.

She is a good grandma.

Puppy overload, I know.

I just love this picture so much.

And when we think back on the Summer of 2013, we'll mostly think of him.

Pool play dates with old and new friends.

Nothing better.

And an awesome Star Wars birthday party yesterday afternoon.

Lots of Yoda Soda was consumed.

More diversion from her sister's SoCal adventure.

May the force be with her.

And may summer last forever.