Delightful Dishes

I am SO exhausted...the good kind of exhausted...the kind that comes from doing what you love!
I have been SO busy lately. I kind of thought things would slow down a bit since it is summer, but it hasn't really. So much so that I never even got around to posting more details about the daughter's birthday! She had a GREAT one, and now I am the mother of a twenty year old. How can that be???

Today was not much different....such a busy whirlwind of activity and excitement.

First, I am teaching a class for teachers called "The Teaching of Reading." What could be better than sharing ideas and activities with teachers concerning a subject about which I am completely passionate?! Although it IS summer here, and I am REALLY ready for a break, I get out each afternoon at 1:30, so it's not that bad at all. Ok, that has been fun so far...but....

Are you ready for the REAL fun from today? Brace yourself.

My friend, Natalie, the daughter, and I cooked up a STORM this evening...all sorts of deliciousness...I can not even begin to say how many ingredients we used, how many pots, pans, spoons, and dishes we used...the husband has just finished doing ALL of them for me. Life does not get much better. Nat had her amazing camera there, so I know some day soon she will post evidence of this wonderfully fun evening. The whole Benson family took part in helping the whole Magallano family have such a delightful meal! I will not give away the secret about what exactly we ate. I am sure Nat will love sharing stories about that, but let me just say this was the most fun I have had in my kitchen in quite some time.

Thanks to the Benson family for an evening to remember.
Now, I am off to literally FALL into bed.

Rescued again...

This is what happens when you need help at THE VERY LAST MINUTE and your friend Natalie saves the day...(the most creative person I know).

This is what happens when your friend drops the HUGE busy project going on in her own life to help you decorate 13 empty paint cans, and her husband drills holes in the top, and her whole household is interrupted and devoted to helping complete this particular project IN ONE EVENING.

This is what happens when your administrator tells you on TUESDAY to create 13 containers for money votes for the contestants of a beauty pageant on Thursday night of the same week...

Whew! What a friend...thank you, Nat, from the bottom of my heart for always helping me...usually at the last minute! Thank you for the fellowship, the laughter, the gossip, the dinner, the supplies, the ideas, and most of all for rescuing me once again.