Monday, October 31, 2011

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween from two very sugared up lightening bugs!

The Highlights

All is well, but all was busy last week.
Here are two of the highlights.
Yes, we did make it to the zoo for Talia's birthday despite a "blistering ear infection."
But not before we stopped at McDonalds with super-duper friend Quinlyn.
Which is where I slow-motioned a time warped, "NOOOOOOOOO" as the van door slammed behind me.
And then I stress ate a Quarter Pounder with cheese, a large fries, and a large diet coke in less than three minutes.
35 minutes later I was rescued by a guy in a Bierrock truck, and we were on our way.
You cannot make that kind of thing up, and it's not code for anything either.
It's true, the Bierrock man rescued us from the parking lot at McDonalds.
At the zoo, Talia informed me that she could share a water with Nana because it was her ear that was sick, not her mouth. As party favors for our guests, I purchased enough waters so that I was the only one sharing with her.
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We were also invited to tea at my friend LaVonne's house last week.
She lays out all the pretties to dress up in.

Guess who fell in love with all of this?

My Mom and I do not have hat heads. 
You don't have to lie to us and tell us we do. 
We know the truth.
Ella had to miss out on this party due to a little thing called school
She's been to tea at LaVonne's before, so don't feel too bad for her.
After we were dressed to the nines (or some of us the eights) we had tea and so much more!

Hello, Pumpkin Custard. I love you.

Before we knew it, the dreaminess that is tea was over.

Thank you, Miss LaVonne.
Now go and erase that voicemail some crazy wannabe Brit left you last week.
Cheers to you, Love.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Finally Four.


We celebrated Talia's fourth birthday yesterday.
And no, I did not make the cake. 
I'm really great at buying cakes, remember?
Today is her actual day.
She has waited and talked about today for months and months.
Last night there were complaints of an ear ache.
Today we will visit her pediatrician. 
{Not our original plan.}
We will go to the zoo.
{If el doctor says it's okay. She doesn't have a fever.}
The zoo will be there tomorrow, but her birthday is today.
If el doctor says "no zoo today", she'll have to suffer through three days of celebration.
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
I guess that's not so bad, is it?

Friday, October 21, 2011

WORD. {His Love Never Quits}

October 21, 2008 
Three years ago today my Mom had a stroke.
Today, she is celebrating life on a date day with my Dad. 

His love {God's} never quits.
God remembered us when we were down,
His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot,
His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need.
His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all!
His love never quits!

Psalm 136:23-26
The Message

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

If Every Day Could Be Like Today

The weatherman said it was going to freeze last night.
I swaddled my three best tomato plants the best I could.
I plan to tuck them in tonight as well.
Bruce had some chopped wood delivered to our house.
We started the fireplace this week...we will again tonight.
I have gardening to do...next week.
There was so much beauty in today.
I couldn't help but see it.
Not just in the beauty of the earth, but upon those in my path.
It showed up in my weekly coffee date with a friend. 
{The one that takes place during Talia's storyhour time at the library.}
And later in the morning, when another friend and I got to catch up...
completely unscheduled. Face to face, not text to text.

All blessings.
I'm finding myself very content today.
Confession: contentment in the dailyness is hard for me to come by.
I must give credit where credit is due.
To God Be the Glory, great things he has done.
And will continue to do.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Hello Monday...

{Inspired by the lovely Lisa Leonard.  Linking up with her today.}

Hello leftover Pumpkin Muffins, what a treat you are!
Hello gymnastics practice in the living room.

Hello good news! I welcome you and the possibility of you.

Hello chicken noodle soup in the crock pot for dinner.

Hello working on the next Whatever Craft Weekend.
Hello planning a 4th birthday party.

Hello preparing for a business lunch.

Hello counting the days until my Mom arrives.  {Five more sleeps!}

Hello gorgeous Kansas sunsets. I've missed you.

What are you saying "Hello" to you this week?

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fresh Ideas to Do Good.

Sometimes I need reminders to do good. 
It's not that I don't want to do good, I totally do.
I just needed some fresh ideas.
Some inspiration.
This morning I read this.  
Thanks, Angela S. for posting it on Pinterest and bringing it to my attention.

Wouldn't this be thee best Family Day
Wouldn't you love to do this with your family?


We are soooooo doing it.
I'm putting it on the calendar today.
I can't wait.
Photos from the last Family Day...


Thursday, October 13, 2011

Every Thing On It {The Winner!}

The winner, as picked by random.org, is number 8!

DebbieDee said...

My favorite books to read to Owen are two called "Why I love my Daddy" and "Why I love my Mommy." They are illustrated by Daniel Howarth and taken from children's own words. For myself, my favorite recent author is Lauraine Snelling, who writes inspirational or Christian fiction.

Congrats, Debbie! Please email me at kimberleejost at yahoo dot com to claim your book. I know you are going to love it!
I have several other books going right now.
All non-fiction.
I don't really expect to look like I'm 17 when I finish, but I'm finding that I enjoy reading about what I should be doing to get ready for the future. 
I'm not so much a yeller, or a nagger, I think I'm a pleader. I think my tone has a little too much desperation attached to it.
This is my favorite of the three. I am having to read it slowly. I can't remember the last time I've had to read a book this slowly, or wanted to  for that matter. It's deep. And truthfully, it hurts a little bit, which surprised me. Did it to anyone else who has read it? I'm about half done.
How about you, what are you currently reading?
I think I'm in the mood for some fiction now.
What should I read next?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Because I Cannot Wait...

We had family pictures last weekend.
It had been three years since the last official one.
I just felt like I needed one great shot of our family.
Just one.
Well here's one that's been released to us.
I am beyond happy. And there's more to come!
Thank you, Megan Duerksen, for capturing our little family and making the memory so sweet.

Crock-tober: Italian Chicken and Potatoes

When Mel said she was going to host Crock-tober in effort to get a few more crockpot recipes,  I raised my hand and said, "Yes, please!"
I knew I wanted to participate.
So, I searched high and low for the recipe for Italian Chicken and Potatoes to share with you. Really, it took me awhile to find the recipe because I've made it that many times. Click here for the original recipe.
It turns out I have been making this since August of 2000.
That means I've been making this for 11 years.
That's longer than I've been married, longer than I've had kids, and longer than I've been out of college.
That last statement is not true, but it feels true.
One of the things that I love about this recipe, is that I almost always have everything I need to make it:
Chicken Breast tenders
Potatoes
Italian Seasoning,
Fat Free Italian Dressing
Parmesan Cheese
Spray your Crockpot well.
Then place chicken in the bottom.
Sprinkle with half the Italian dressing, half of the Italian Seasoning, and half of the Parmesan.
Place potatoes on top of that layer. (I leave the skins on mine.)
Then add the remaining Italian Dressing, Italian Seasoning, and Parmesan on top of potatoes.
If you don't have Italian Dressing, you could always use this. I've done it before.
I'm a rebel like that.
If I have carrots, I like to add a few. I had about a handful left, so I threw them in, too.
Turn the Crock-pot on low, then put the lid on it and walk away for six hours, or so.

We walked drove ourselves over to spend the afternoon with Daisy at her rockin' playhouse while dinner did its thing.

When we came home three hours later it was already starting to smell good. Happiness.
I still really enjoy Italian Chicken and Potatoes {and a handful of carrots!} 11 years later, but I am looking forward to seeing the other recipes that are being posted today.

How about you?
What's your favorite Crock-pot meal?
Need some new ideas?
Head on over here today.


Monday, October 10, 2011

Ten on Ten: October 2011

Take a photo every hour for ten consecutive hours on the tenth of each month. 
Document a day of your life and find beauty among the ordinary moments. 











It's been a couple of months since I've done 10 on 10.
It's fun to be back!
How was your Monday?
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