Hello Asheville, North Carolina

This summer has been full of great memories and adventures. Our most recent adventure was a trip to North Carolina for my brother-in-law's wedding. So, My Big Fat Greek Wedding evolved into My Big Fat Greek Vacation. It was full of as much food, fun and family as you could imagine with 32 loud, overly-opinionated Greeks.

After the wedding we made the trek to Asheville.

What a city!

It is the perfect combination of history and modernism. Favorite retailers and restaurants are surrounded by historic buildings with unique architectural details rarely seen in modern-day structures. The weather was perfect; cool mornings and evenings and hot afternoons-exactly what I like my summer days to be like.

The hotel we stayed at was great too. I loved that they not only offered a hearty (and complimentary) breakfast but a terrific dinner as well. The staff was very helpful and even gave us our own "private dining room" so other guests would have room to sit and enjoy their meals without getting hit by flying flatware (Lucky), becoming collateral damage during a G.I. Joe battle (Ace and Mikey) or lose their hearing from high pitched shrieks (Julia could break glass).

Here's a sneak peek into some of my favorite moments:

DH and I at the Biltmore Winery wine bar

Our family after the wedding



My boys and I on the trolley in downtown Asheville



Having fun with their cousins in the sprinklers



A beautiful butterfly my father-in-law found



The four of us in front of the Biltmore House (more on that later)



Lucky, my niece Julia and I on the front lawn of the Biltmore



It was a great time and it was really nice having the whole family there. This was the first vacation we've ever taken with DH's brother, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins!

Thanks to @AshevilleTravel for all the tips and ideas! DH and I are definitely planning on visiting again soon!

Nickels and Dimes {Warning: Vent Session}

I have to vent here for a moment. I am soo furious. It all started the other day when I drove south a couple of hours with the boys and stayed at a place that had no land line. Of course, I didn't think this would be a problem because I had my trusty cell phone. Except that my cell phone wasn't so trusty. At first, I just sounded muffled, but soon no one could hear a word I was saying. By the end of the next day I couldn't even call out. To make matters worse, I was babysitting my niece and couldn't answer the phone when my sister called to check in on her. Do you have any idea how inconvenient it is to be traveling with three kids and no phone? Thank God there were no emergencies.

So much for trusty cell phone.

Then today, I was getting some last minute things taken care of for a road trip we're taking this weekend and I figured, "Hey, I'm going to be doing a lot of traveling over the next month. Maybe I'll finally sign up for that great 'NO CONTRACTS! $29.99 unlimited data plan for iPads!'" But when I called both Apple and AT&T to sign up, I was informed that the plan no longer exists. Now, to take advantage of the promotional offer promised when iPads went on sale, you have to automatically renew each month. Which basically equals a contract, right? I mean, if you cancel you are no longer eligible.

I guess I just really felt like one my worst fears is closer than I imagined. It makes me wonder what the world will be like 20 years from now. Everywhere we go people are glued to their cell phones. No need for casual conversation with the person sitting next to you when you can interact with hundreds of people on facebook right from your phone! Take a look around next time you're at a restaurant or waiting in line somewhere. How many people are playing on phones instead of talking to an actual human being. I keep reading articles on the trouble public libraries are in right now and how people think they're unnecessary nowadays with all the gadgets like e-readers and the internet. Why drive all the way to the library to borrow a book when you can download it for free? And I vow, to never, ever buy an ebook instead of a REAL book. Nothing can replace the feeling of a book in my hand.

I don't know about anyone else but I'm |t h i s| close to burying my electronics in the backyard. Will our grandchildren even know what a library is or will it seem as old-fashioned to them as a drive-in theatre?

I know I'm rambling right now but I feel like all these things are intertwined. I'm beginning to wonder how much electronic dependence is too much?

Klutz Glossy Bands {Giveaway}

I hope everyone has been having a great summer! I know we have! Can you believe it's almost over? To help make these last weeks of summer extra fun, KLUTZ is giving three lucky winners a copy of their new activity kit GLOSSY BANDS!

Chances are good that you’ve never seen anything quite like a Glossy Band. Simply take our special, non-toxic, acrylic gel and squeeze out dots of color following the patterns in our book. Then use the swirling stick to make fancy designs. Once the bracelet is dry, wrap it around your wrist, and you’ve made your first Glossy Band: a beautiful, durable, completely wearable piece of art. Glossy Bands comes with 4 colors of gel, clear plastic work surface, swirling sticks, and Klutz clear instructions for tons of bracelet designs. For ages 8+.

Retail Value: $19.95

Watch this great how-to video!

To enter:

Simply leave a comment telling me what the best part of your summer has been so far!

Earn extra entries by:

Following me on Twitter

Subscribing to this blog

Becoming a follower of this blog

Good luck!

Happy Birthday America!

There's something about the 4th of July that makes it one of my favorite holidays. The first thing my dad did every year was proudly hang the flag from the front porch, as did almost everyone in our town. I can still remember looking down the street and seeing an ocean of stars and stripes.

Our neighborhood would throw a block party every year and us kids would go from backyard to backyard eating and having a blast. The women spent all day getting all the food and the red, white and blue desserts ready, while the men took care of the grilling and sneaked lighters to us "older" kids. We'd light hundreds of bottle rockets, tanks, snakes, roman candles and other fireworks. I'll never forget the year one of the neighborhood kids set their parents car keys into orbit. :) Those were good times.

Somehow, on that day I always felt a little more free. My parents would sit down with us and ask if we knew what we celebrated on this day. Their eyes would glisten and their hearts beamed with pride as they told of our family members who served in the military. I never quite got it, until I got older. Now my eyes glisten and my heart beams with pride as I re-tell those stories to my children.


As an adult, it's the one day I wish everyone could put aside their political opinions and just be thankful for all the blessings we have in this country. Whether you love the current president and hate the former, vice versa or you don't like either of them, that should all be put aside, if only for today. You may think our country is far from perfect, but it is still our country. Does perfection exist anywhere? I don't think it does.

Focus instead on our founding fathers and all the people who gave up everything in the name of freedom. Do we really understand what they did? The committed treason and went up against all odds to become an independent nation!

It sure was worth it, wasn't it?

Don't forget to whisper a prayer for those who continue to protect our freedom today. Thank a soldier. I love that my boys salute anyone they see in uniform. It brings tears to my eyes every time.

Happy Birthday America!

Eyes Wide Open

That's what I'm doing this summer. Keeping my eyes wide open. Because I know that the minute I blink it will all be over. And I'm having too much fun!!

We've been enjoying the hot (and I mean h-o-t) weather and then giving thanks for the AC! We've had water balloon and smoothie filled afternoons followed by lots of reading in our blanket tents at night. It feels so good to have them both at home with us. I dread the beginning of school again. I'm still praying that it gets easier, but it's not lookin' so good.

This year we picked up a Slip n' Slide at Wal-mart for $5.00! The boys *love* it! They spend all afternoon slipping and sliding and jumping into our Olympic sized pool (which is about 3 ft. in diameter).

Stay tuned for the recipe for Ace and Lucky's favorite summer snack this year! Hint: It's yummy and healthy. :)

Last weekend we went with my sister-in-law Valadou and her kids to see Curious George Live. Of course, this was Ace's lifelong dream, to see "Gaki" live! I wish they could have taken pictures with him but we made due with what we had (see photo below). Ace is holding the famous Gaki that he has taken everywhere with him since he was one and Lucky is now the proud owner of the backup we bought the year we thought Ace lost him at the Watermelon Festival. :) We all had such a good time!

Afterward, we went out to celebrate for a friend's birthday. DH and I managed to get not one, but two photos together! Impressed? I know!

This weekend we'll be celebrating the feastday of Panagia Vlahernon. Anyone interested in attending services can find a schedule here.

Hot Diggity Dog {Giveaway}

What is it about this time of the year that makes me crave hot dogs?

Maybe it's all the summer memories I have of my parents grilling them outside while we ran around the yard throwing water balloons and chasing the ice cream truck. Or maybe it's because more hot dogs are consumed in the month of July than any other month, making it National Hot Dog Month!

Either way, hot dogs are a symbol of American summers and I am so excited to have this terrific new children's book to giveaway in honor of my favorite summer food!

One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog, written by Adrienne Sylver and illustrated by Elwood Smith, and a supercool hot dog pen!

We picked this book up at the SCBWI conference last month and my boys loved it. As soon as the saw the hot dog rocketship on the cover, the fight for who got to hold it began.

Here's how to enter:

01. Visit Adrienne's site and let me know what you like best about her.

(You MUST do these for your entry to be valid).

Earn extra entries when you:

02. Become a follower of A Purse Full of Cheerios

03. Follow me on Twitter

04. Blog or Tweet this Giveaway (leave links in comments)

05. Subscribe to A Purse Full of Cheerios

GOOD LUCK! Winner will be announced on July 9!

Congratulations to Resplendent Quetzal! Please e-mail me your shipping details a.s.ap!

Banana Muffins with Mascarpone Frosting Recipe

One of my cousins recently posted this recipe on Facebook and I almost caused water damage to my keyboard from drooling. They are so delicious!

The honey in the frosting adds such a nice flavor. This is definitely one of my new favorites!

Banana Muffins with Mascarpone Frosting

Ingredients

Muffins:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 ripe bananas, peeled and coarsely mashed

Frosting:

• 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Directions

Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl to blend. Beat the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl to blend. Stir in the banana. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until blended.

Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Bake the muffins on the middle rack until the tops are golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out with no crumbs attached, about 25 minutes. Transfer the muffins to a rack and cool slightly. The muffins may be eaten warm or cooled completely and frosted.

To frost the cupcakes: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the mascarpone cheese and then beat in the honey. Spread the frosting over the muffins. Sprinkle with the walnuts.

Enjoy!!

Click here for this recipe and more from Giada!