Hosting a dinner party?

Cold beaches and Disney

We've returned from our chilly Florida vacation and we're back to the reality of school, work, laundry, etc. While away, Mr. PaperCourt and I were able to leave the boys with my mom and escape to the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande to celebrate ten years of marriage. TEN YEARS...that seems so long yet has gone by so quickly.

The Gasparilla Inn is the quintessential old Florida preppy hotel. No jeans are allowed in the public spaces of the hotel after 6pm during the "social" season. Seriously, this place is amazing, even in the cold weather.

We also surprised the boys with a trip to Disney. It was crowded but fun. And dare I say, as a Florida native, that I prefer Disneyland. I like the smaller park and the proximity of the hotels. The people watching at Disney is priceless. I've had my fill and won't be back for a few years.

Now we're on to the celebration of my baby's 4th birthday. Party details coming soon....

Dear Mother Nature,

Dear Mother Nature,

We need to chat. You see, we planned a mid-winter break vacation to Florida to get out of the cold. Now the weather channel is informing me that it's going to be cold on said vacation. This vacation also includes 2 nights away from the kiddos at a fabulous hotel on the beach. Sixty degrees isn't going to allow for much beach time.

I understand that it's El Nino but you need to whip things right back to how they should be. And hurry up...we leave tomorrow!

Thanks,

PaperCourt

Substance

I apologize for the lack of posts these days and the lack of substance when I do post. I'm shocked at how busy I am. Between my business, exercise, school volunteer stuff, church volunteer stuff and mothering, I'm tapped out.

I'm hoping things slow down soon but I'm beginning to think this is how it's going to be for the next 14 years.

Let the cooking begin

Do you have a child who loves to cook? How about planning an "Iron Chef" party for their next birthday? This is an invitation for a very lucky almost 9-year-old's upcoming birthday complete with coordinating aprons for each of the two cooking teams.

(folded piles of aprons - 7 of each design)

Hey there, it's Yogi Bear

Over Thanksgiving weekend, we packed up the family (and a 20 pound bird) and headed to the Washington Coast. We have a favorite spot in the quaint town of Seabrook. It's lovely, just lovely! This was our 4th visit but our first time staying in a house that backs up to the woods. On Saturday night, our last night there, the Mr. and I put the boys to bed and readied ourselves for the last dip in the hot tub before our departure. Bathing suit, check. Wine, check. Towels, check.

We headed out for our dip and left the back door open since our oldest was still awake in his room. The jets were roaring and as I was readjusting my short self, I stood up looking over Mr. Papercourt's shoulder toward the woods and staring back was a bear. Like a GINORMOUS bear! He was on all fours but staring right at me only 5 feet away from the edge of the hot tub. I don't camp in Washington for good reason, people.

I slowly sat down staring at my husband with my eyes literally popping out of my head. Mr. Papercourt kept asking me what was wrong and all I could do was whisper, "bear, bear, bear". I considered throwing my wine glass. Luckily, the Mr. had read up on his bear scaring techniques and made him self big and scary. Off went the bear into the woods.

What if he'd gone into the house? Two tasty boys inside. The door was wide open right next to the hot tub.

We believe he weighed at least 300 lbs. Apparently, he and a buddy have been hangin' around those parts for a while. So there will be no camping trips on the calendar this summer. I can mark "get up close and personal with a bear" off my bucket list.

(the photo above was taken at Cabela's the day after the sighting...mr. bear looked just like that)

Gorgeous (and environmentally friendly)

A couple from our supper club just launched a handbag line that is to die for! I mean look at the petals on that bag. Gorgeous....just gorgeous!

Here's a blurb from their website:

Muratori Designs, an environmentally friendly luxury handbag line, is proudly designed in the USA, and Made in Italy by master craftsman. The brand produces high-quality handbags with the most supple, chrome-free, vegetable-tanned leathers, each hand-stitched with beautiful details.

Check out Muratori Designs. You won't be sorry!