…until School starts (is there a fast forward button on this?!).  I’m exhausted from all of our travels, from the monster I have created that still won’t sleep through the night, from the mastitis, from staying up late catching up on Mad Men (why am I so late to the game on this one?).  Since no one really wants to read about how I woke up in a very bad mood, let’s focus on last night.

My BIL called and said he found a projector at Goodwill (he is the KING of goodwill finds).  I told him if he came to set it up I would cook him dinner.

we ate (take n’ bake from Papa Murphy’s), and we swam.

My husband makes it look so easy to launch the children, I’ve tried, it isn’t!  The projector was set up and the kids were able to float in the pool while watching a movie.

The invites to our Labor Day Party are going to be much coveted this year.

The winner of the baby Tuxedo Ruffles Giveaway is Commenter #6 (thank you random number generator), Steph at Tart Deco.

Thank you to EVERYONE who entered.  I am currently working on grading the pattern and turning it into a pdf pattern for the shop. So, if you didn’t win, you can still sew it on your own!  Should have ready by the end of the week.

We had some great Thai take out from Sweet Basil Thai & Sushi, when we stopped in Ceder City, UT. The great flavors stuck with us, and Aaron and I both wanted Thai when we got home, so I whipped this up yesterday…and now you can too.

First, you’ll need to head to your local asian market and pick up some Yellow Curry paste, 1 can of coconut milk, fish sauce & Sweet Basil Leaves.

You will also need, 4 carrots, 2 medium sized red potatoes, 1/2 yellow onion, 2T of sugar and 1 1/2cups of chopped cooked chicken (or meat of your choice).  Dice all of your vegetables.

Place vegetables in a pot of boiling water for 7-10min, or until potatoes are tender.  Drain and set aside.  Pour coconut milk and curry paste into a large pot on medium heat.  Stir to combine.  Add 2 Tablespoons of both Fish Sauce and Sugar.  Add chicken and vegetables, mix well.  Chop up 1/2 cup of the basil leaves and add them to the curry mixture right before you serve.

Serve over rice, with chopsticks or a fork!

There is a bit of a bite to it- but its not too spicy at all.  It was really really good!  This recipe makes enough for 4 or 5 servings (hello leftovers!!!).

psst!  Just updated the recipes page- be sure to click over if you’re looking for some dinner ideas!

I don’t want to see the inside of my van for at least a week!  After 3 days of driving we are home.  The baby cried from Flagstaff to Phoenix out of exhaustion (apparently she no longer sleeps in cars), nothing I tried would help her.

We got home, Aaron dropped me and the baby off (took the other kids out for dinner).  I took her into her own dark room, turned on the white noise machine and nursed her.  She didn’t fall asleep…instead she perked up and began giggling.  Oh, that one day I might understand children.  2 hours later I FINALLY got her to sleep.

Grateful to be home, and to still have a home (thanks Emily!).

of seeing my vacation photos yet?!  I’m overwhelmed by the beauty here, I just can’t seem to stop taking pictures.

My MIL is an impeccable decorator, her homes are always so clean, beautiful and comfortable.  Here are some shots from the Star Valley house.

I procured these peony’s on the way home from church, but refuse to divulge where I got them.  They sure do smell good though.

One of the basement (why oh why don’t we have a basement in AZ?) guest rooms we stayed in.

**don’t forget, you can still enter the Tuxedo Ruffle Set giveaway!**

when one of your children throws up…thankfully by noon he was fine again.  Now everyone please cross their fingers that no one else catches it!

Because of a sick kid we missed out on visiting Kemmerer today…so I took my son on a drive instead, taking pictures as we went.

Nothing like afternoon sun to wash out a beautiful background.  The landscape here reminds me of a huge multi-shaded green patchwork quilt, dotted with dark green sashing.

The men folk went trout fishing today…promising to bring some back.  Dinner tomorrow should be good.

Thank you to everyone who entered the “Sweets From Smeeks” giveaway!  The winner is:

If you haven’t received an email from me…email me and I’ll give your the prize details!

This next giveaway is open to EVERYONE!!  I had so much fun making this, it was inspired by this dress that Kathleen made.

I’m calling it the Tuxedo Ruffle Set.  The bloomers are made of a medium weight blue shirting fabric, trimmed in a red bias tape.  I love the little ruffles at the legs and the tuxedo ruffle on the top!

The outfit will fit a 6-9month sized baby, the leg elastics are loose and will not leave marks on baby legs!  The onsie ruffle is accented with 2 white flower buttons.

To Enter:

1. Leave me a comment
2.  for an extra entry post this button on your blog, and leave me a second comment telling me you’ve blogged it.

copy & paste the code:

<a href=”http://heatherhalesdesigns.com/blog/winners-tuxedo-ruffle-giveaway/”><img src=”http://www.heatherhalesdesigns.com/images/july_button.jpg”></a>
Winner will be announced Saturday July 24th.

I finally arrived in WY, oh is it beautiful! The temperature is 74 (eat your heart out PHX)….

Thanks to Jackalope Ranch, for listing me in their 100 creatives!

this picture doesn’t do justice to the beautiful contrast between the white clouds, orange fields and blue sky!

taken somewhere between Flagstaff and Page.

My All time favorite granola, over blueberry yogurt!  Yum.

Yesterday I upgraded to Photoshop CS5, that’s quite the jump from CS to CS5.  All sorts of new “stuff” in there!  During the install process I accidentally lost all of my brushes & actions (sigh.).  Just means I have to hunt them all down again.

Short of making sure I get both PW Action Sets, I can’t remember the rest that I had.  Do you have any go-to actions that you really like?  Please recommend some actions so I can build my collection back up again!