Happy Thanksgiving!

For each new morning with its light,For rest and shelter of the night,For health and food, for love and friends,For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Aunt Mary Elf

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Morning Snow

Our Monday Morning started out with a White Surprise.
Our Friends, the Minnesota McRoberts visited us today.
I made them each a special journal with photos that my friend took previously.

These were so fun to make, I am sure I will be making more! hehe

We had a wonderful visit. We shared and compared our creative/scrap projects, we had a few photo sessions, we ate some lovely treats...time went way too fast. These visits are always so bittersweet. I enjoy them so much, but am so sad when they are over. Isabelle did not get to visit this time because she insisted on going to school! She said she could see our company next year, she didn't want to miss projects! Well, when she got home she found some special gifts that were left for her. "How did Sally know I liked tinkerbell mom?" - hehe. The kids absolutely LOVED the nice warm pajamas they got. They put them on right away! (Thank you so much Betsey!!!!). What a nice day. If only all Mondays could be this swell. hehe

Sunday RoundUp

I had NO pictures to share today, so I just pulled this photo from my summer collection. I call it: Tomatoes in a Basket. Enjoy.

Just some rambling: This busy weekend is winding down. Breakfast today: Mickey Mouse Pancakes & Chocolate Milk. Dinner: Misc. Leftovers. Now: Football in the background, children slumbering in their beds in nice warm footy pajamas...most of my dishes are done..I am just finishing up a few minor projects and then will grab a book (The Shack) to read under a heavy blanket. Isabelle was quite the party girl this weekend, with two birthday parties to attend on Saturday, It just melts my heart to see how excited & sweet these little girls are at these parties. Today, Isabelle and I spent some alone time together (daddy and Ben free). We went to JC Penney and I picked out a beautiful black dress that I just love for an upcoming holiday formal type event for Noah's work and Isabelle picked out a fuzzy pink sweater with a butterfly clip on it for school. Then we went grocery shopping in which she asked for every single thing that they sold in the store. Each time I would remind her that she just got a sweater and she would say oh yeah. Well maybe Santa will get me this/that etc. She was quite concerned that there would be no Wall-E movies left when Santa got around to it. (quite frankly I don't think she even really liked that movie all that much when she saw it in the theatre). I am not a pop drinker. But, on occasion, I get a desire for a soda. hehe - well I came across something that looked delightful and festive: Sierra Mist with Cranberry Splash. I must say this is a good drink, I recommend it if you are looking for something different. Well I am freeeeezzzing and tired, so I better get going. We are looking forward to a visit tomorrow from our very special friends from Minnesota. I can't wait! For this evening, I will leave you with a highly approved and recommended recipe that I recently tried. I loved it, Noah loved it, Ben loved it. Isabelle liked the corn bread part. hehe - Thanks to my friend Sarah P. for sharing this delight with us! Here it goes, give it a try sometime, you won't be disappointed!

COWBOY BAKE

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

2 tbs olive oil

1 lb boneless chicken breast, cubed

1 10 0z can tomatoes

(hey my photo above somewhat relates after all!)

1 cup frozen corn kernels

Pinch chili powder

cooking spray

1/2 tsp salt

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1 cup grated Monterey hack cheese

FOR Topping: 1 8.5oz package of corn muffin mix

1. Preheat over to 350. Coat a 9 inch pie pan with cooking spray. In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes.

2. Add chicken and brown, then add tomatoes, corn , chili powder, salt and pepper to skillet for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour into the pie pan, and top with grated cheese.

3. In a mixing bowl, prepare muffin mix according to package directions. Spread evenly over chicken mixture, and bake for 30 minutes, or until corn muffin topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbling.

The EnD & GooD NighT!

Something

A BENCH inside the Arts Center that I am fond of.
A few of my Recent Projects:
A Little Christmas Themed Tag Shaped Notebook/Planner to fit in the purse or pocket!
A 4x6 Notebook/Journal - stab style binding, blank pages.

Something that I know for sure: As soon as I let my dog outside, chances are the mailman will be arriving about 32 seconds later.

Something that I learned today: Sometimes it would be better to make hamburger helper and spend 20 or so minutes on dinner rather than wasting two hours on a new homemade from scratch recipe (especially when the children either do or dont eat no matter what and they would have rather I spent that time with them and so do I).

Something that I wonder: I wonder if the Wonderbread factory is still open to the public for tours. We used to take field trips there as kids and they would give us these adorable little mini loaves in mini packaging to take home and I could make adorable mini little peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Something that I am grateful for today: My Benny Boo taking my hand and asking me if I want to "dance, dance?"

Passing the BUCK

This lovely BUCK passed by our House this morning. He was across the road by the time I got my camera out, but I got a couple decent shots! Usually we see the ladies or youngins, so it was neat to see this giant fellow hanging about for a bit.

Other notes:
- I took Ben for a haircut this morning. He sat very well!
-Isabelle wants me to teach her how to make Friendship bracelets. (oh the memories...I picked up the floss thread we need and I told her we would start tonight).
-Tonight for dinner, I am trying a new dish: Linquine with Chicken Thighs
-Book Club: We had a great meeting last night discussing Eat, Pray, Love among other things. Our next reading selection is: A Wedding In December by Anita Shreve.
-I am currently researching Daisy Scouts and Ballet at the Art Center for Isabelle. Both start in December!
OPPS! Revision to tonight's activities....Ballet started tonight! Revised the dinner plan to: opening a can of chicken noodle soup upon our return from the first class. Isabelle loved class and she did so great! I defintely think we have a future ballerina on our hands.

Gratitude

Gratitude for homemade Pumpkin Pie (thank you Celia!)
Gratitude for two beautiful amazing little children.

We finally got our Thankfulness Tree up and running! We are going to add a couple leaves of what we are thankful for each day until Thanksgiving.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

Friends & Family, May your Sunday be: Blessed & Beautiful!

Little Things

Happy Saturday! I wanted to share with you, a little journal type book that I have been making. I had gotten the idea from a book written by scrapbooker/life artist -Ali Edwards. I made this book 4x6. The covers are made from chipboard, covered with patterned paper. The binding is binder rings. The inside includes A-Z index dividers.

The basic concept of this book is to be a place to collect the little things that matter. The details of our lives. The simple things. Memories and tidbits. Scraps & Odds and Ends. I haven't gotten very far with my book yet, but I wanted to show you a few of my pages. Additional to whats shown to give you an idea of what can be included: scraps of papers, notes, receipts, recipes, postcards, lists, tags, labels..doodles, journaling, pictures, anything you can think of! Just punch some holes and add it to the book.

This is an ongoing project. My book sits right on my desk, next to my computer. I don't have much in it yet, but already it is so fun to look through! It serves as a reminder of the little, simple, yet important things. It's kind of an encyclopedia of an ordinary life! I love this concept, so I wanted to share!

This is a drawing that Isabelle made for me. I cut it down to size and added it under the A section for art. It makes me smile.

This is a photo of my friend Sally. I put her under S for sally, but she could just as easily go under F for friend/friendship!

This is a picture of a popcorn snack that I found one day in the dollhouse. This makes me smile because it makes me think of the mischievousness and fun of Ben. I placed this under U for unexpected discoveries!

This is a treat bag from the kids trick or treating this year. It was such a joy to share this experience with them. When I think about them in their costumes and wandering up to the doors and running to the next with such excitement....it brings nothing but a happiness to my heart.

So anyway, these are examples of some of things that you could include! The possibilities are endless! Anything goes! I hope you give it a try!

Stories

"There are thousands of thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen and writes."

- William Makepeace Thackeray

So I am super excited to be taking part in an online class. It is offered by Jessicasprague.com. It is kind of a a combination of a scrapbooking/journaling type project. Mostly, what it is is creating a special binder/system that will help one remember, gather and capture the stories of their life. There are many "sparks" to help you think and write about your Roots, Family & Self.

In Other Notes: It is Veterans Day. No School for Isabelle and No work for Noah. I have some errands planned for today and I think that Noah and Ben might spend some alone time together (in which I am grateful for...hehe) as it might make my tasks a smidge more managable.

Already today, Ben has fed his waffles to the dog and has hit everyone in the family with a plush Gnome that he is swinging around by the hat. Isabelle has a cold, I hope it goes away promptly. I guess I better go plan my menu for grocery shopping...

November

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds - November!

~Thomas Hood

The photo is an early morning view out of my front window. The family still sleeps, so I steal a few quiet moments. My mind is cluttered with overwhelming thoughts of tasks at hand and recent and future events. Although part of my soul feels somewhat sad and lost, there is an excitement of opportunity and possibility that fills my heart. Life and Paths are forever changing. There is no comfort in this, yet there is. I think of failures and hurts, but I also think of successes and joy. This journey is hard and winding and long, it is weeping yet it is wonderful. One step at a time, we'll get there. I believe that Today may be beautiful.

She's got a way

She's got a way about her and everywhere she goes,

a million dreams of love surround her, everywhere.

- billy joel

My girl. Yes, she is a little odd at times....but who isn't? Isabelle is really into making things out of paper lately. Here we see a pair of paper seeing eye glasses that she constructed. The other day she made paper slippers and wore those all around. Every day she says, " I've got an idea of something! I need paper, scissors and a stapler. " O.k. kid go for it. Also, lately she is noting many word associations and such. Like the most recent observation only moments ago: "I know what rhymes with Jeep! Sheep! Sheep rhymes with Jeep! " Please note there is no ouch on her forehead, but she assures me that there is a band aid requirement. o.k. Who am I to argue?

p.s. It's snowing!

Talking Turkey

I did not make this crafty turkey...but I might! I just started gathering some ideas to do with the kids for the Thanksgiving season. I've already made us watch Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving Special to get us in the mode. It makes me sad that I see nothing but Christmas in the stores and commericals. Maybe that is what makes Thanksgiving just a little more special....that it is not totally commerialized or stressful or of high requirement/obligation /expectations etc. It is simply a comforting and peaceful time....maybe the calm before the storm....haha Anyway - I will defintely be making a tree with paper leaves in which we write what we are thankful / and what we give or do for - Or a gratitude box/basket of some sort. Don't know what else yet.

- Short Reports -
Weather - here has been amazing. I can't believe we have t-shirts on and windows open. (It looks like that has changed though as it looks quite windy and cloudy out this morning)
Teacher Conference Yesterday - Isabelle is doing Excellent. We are so proud of her! Math is her struggle (just like her mom) -But she is always eager to learn, listen and get involved, oh and she is a wonderful socialite.
House/Moving - We may have some news to share soon!

The Ghouls Are Still Out

My sister in law (little red ridinghood) had a spooky shindig at her abode on the fine evening of the 1st.

Here are a few of the costumed party guests:

Bat Girl, Woodland Fairy, Little Red, Pirate, Vampire

(although I enjoyed my costume, it didn't come together as well when I hot glued it together in the hotel room as I had earlier envisioned in my head that it would. I didnt get enough leaves and vines on...I was in a TIME WARP and had to fly quickly. Plus later my Wings often hooked me into a chair or doorway or they hit people in the head. Also my glitter and foliage left traces of magic behind where-ever I went. Just a side note to share with my readers so that you can decide those factors when considering to be a fairy or not.)

I promised the WOLF that he would "make the blog".

I must admit, his costume was my favorite of the event!

Thanks for gHosting such a FANGtastic party you guys!

In other notes:

Noah and I celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary on Nov. 1st. We spent a night away (from the kids) in a beautiful hotel. I fell in love...with the BED! It was amazing. Heavenly Simmons pillowtop, etc. I have a dream, it is to get this bed. We slept wonderful. I never wanted to leave it. The comfort was like a cloud.

The weather has been quite nice lately. Yesterday I think was 75 at once point. Weird.

Isabelle got to vote in school and she told me she voted for: Vock OMama. I asked her why she choose him to support and she answered: I don't know, because I saw him on t.v.

Speaking of Voting, I will leave you with a few fun Election Day quotes!

An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry. ~T.S. EliotThe politicians were talking themselves red, white and blue in the face. ~Clare Boothe Luce

A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election. ~Bill Vaughan

Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. ~Author UnknownHell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against. ~W.C. Fields

How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America? ~Author Unknown

A politician should have three hats. One for throwing into the ring, one for talking through, and one for pulling rabbits out of if elected. ~Carl Sandburg

Any American who is prepared to run for president should automatically, by definition, be disqualified from ever doing so. ~Gore Vidal

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it. ~Clarence Darrow

George Washington is the only president who didn't blame the previous administration for his troubles. ~Author Unknown

Halloween - Part 3

Most of the time, Isabelle was way ahead of Ben on the Journey.
Maybe because Ben really liked to linger and hold conversations with the homeowners...and try to cute his way to some additional candy.
The night grew on and the goblins got tired and so did their parents...so we decided to call it: done. We went home and made Pizza and Checked out the loot! The kids were thrilled to find that someone gave them a bag of cheetos! Soon it was time to clean off the sticky faces and hands and shove the youngins off to slumber.... I asked Isabelle what her favorite part of Halloween was this year and she told me that it was when I came to school to help with the games at her class party (I almost cried, I was really expecting her to say the Cheetos or something along those lines). She also shared with me, "Guess what mom, I got big news! Now I like ALL the colors in the rainbow! Every color!" (In my mind, this had nothing to do with anything related...but maybe it did). Goodnight.

Halloween Part Deuce

The Enchanting evening Continues...

Halloween Part 1

Our Halloween actually started out as a NiGhTmaRe! I had a lot on my agenda, was up very early, got the kids ready to drop Isabelle off at school, so Ben and I could run some errands (I had to finish getting ready for Isabelle's class party that would be after lunch)....and we are all set to go....and I can't find my keys! This has never happened to me before...in which I couldn't find them within 30 seconds. I searched EVERYWHERE. I had the kids searching. I panicked that they might have got thrown away...or lost in the leaves or under the couch.....I checked all my bags twice....3x , checked the car....finally after about 30 minutes of searching I sat down... I prayed and I thought...and I had a dash of hope that maybe somehow my keys wound up in my bible study bag (the only bag that I had the day before that I had not searched), I dashed upstairs and heard that familiar rattle as I lifted the bag, thank you! Called the school, announced that Isabelle would be a tad late.....(25 minutes late to be exact by the time we finally made it to school). Then...Isabelle didn't want to walk in school by herself because she did not see anyone else around....so she was scared and ran back to the car, so I had to get ben out too, we walked her inside and then ben didn't want to leave the school, he ran the other way (away from me)...I had to tackle him , apprehend him...and escort him to the exit, when I placed him down on the ground, he made a quick turn around, screamed and darted for the door to enter again....and as you could imagine...Ben was just as fun in the grocery store when he did not want to sit in the cart or walk, he wanted me to hold him..........

But the day got better from there! I absolutely LOVED helping with Isabelle's class party. What a privilege it was to spend time with these amazing kids and create a little fun together.
This is pre- official trick or treating. Isabelle is protecting herself as Ben had just hit her in the tummy with his cat bucket. He was playing kung-fo chicken. He was in quite the wild mood once he got his cosutme on. The weather was unseasonably warm! I know in my car it was 73 at one point during the day!

Here they are making up.

This is part of a huge display of the first house we stopped at this year. The kids were scared, yet wanted to go up to everything and check it out. And so, the evening begins!

I'm sorry, but I just love this costume. I had to take a picture of this guy! This "burger king" king just brings a smile to my face. Halloween is so fun!