Weird day

It was supposed to be a simple door install. I knew we had termite damage, but had no idea it was this bad. It's going to be about a week before we get our door installed. At least it's in the garage, where I can look at it when ever I want to.

The firemen came to check the hydrant, and Laney got to "drive the truck." Jude refused to get in the truck or put on a hat. Sorry about that, Mr. Fireman. My kid is weird.

This whole day was weird. My front door looks weird. Termites are weird. I hate termites. Sorry, God. They are eating my house. :)

Boo at the Zoo!

It was our first year to ever go to Boo at the Zoo. We had big fun with Emily!

My pile

I always have a pile. A pile of stuff to read/take care of/do. Sometimes it's much bigger than this. So much so that yesterday it fell over on me and went everywhere, so I was forced to deal with it at least temporarily. I certainly didn't feel like "doing" the pile. I only piled it back up, so it wouldn't eat me.

I'll tackle that pile... tomorrow. Scarlett is just *not* up to it today.

Thank goodness for EASY!

I panicked this morning, when I realized that it was science class day at McWane, and I needed to have a slow cooker meal going for when we got home. Class is over at 4, and it's usually 5 before we get home. I hadn't given dinner any thought, and that's usually when we do fast food.

I dug in my "no eating out" heels and went to the pantry to see what I could find. I spotted some of this cream of mushroom soup that I keep on hand for emergencies. They have it at Publix and it's not nearly has bad as that "other" brand!

I slung two cans of it into my Crocker, along with two cans of water. I dumped in one and a half cups of organic long grain brown rice and 4 chicken breasts. I put in some McCormick's Garlic Pepper Grinder seasonings, some more garlic powder and some more pepper. I set it for 4 hours on high and that was it.

When we walked in the door after science, I couldn't believe how good it smelled!

I spooned it out on a plate, cut up the chicken and layed it on the rice and sprinkled some cheddar cheese on top and YUM!!!!

And there's enough for tomorrow night too! Whee!!!

Oh isn't he just BRILLIANT?

You have to picture me clapping my hands, then clasping my hand to my bosom when I say that. Or maybe not.

I wavered about whether or not to blog bragging about my kids. I really hate bragging. But as I was vacuuming the stairs yesterday, I thought, "You know, if I don't brag on my kids, who's going to?" Don't you want the people you love the most to be proud of you? Oh well. I'm posting it and it can be freely ignored!!!!! :)

We were on the way home from church one day not too long ago, and I was reading a book to Jude. He stopped me and said, "Let me read it."

And he mostly did.

I looked over at Allen and said, "Did you teach him how to read?"

Allen looked back at me like, "Who me?"

Huh.

Anyway, here's Jude reading his first book. And as much as I want to say that's why I posted it, you really must watch Mr. Two Shoes steamroll his sister. (He's saying "Get away...") Daily occurrence around here...

I Love Fall!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We got to spend a fabulous day at Old Baker's Farm, thanks to Jennifer who organized and excuted the whole trip. It was amazing. I had so much more fun than I expected! The weather was great, and the kids loved it. Laney was a little overwhelmed like she usually is when there is a lot of new information to take in, but as she reflected on the trip this week, she agreed with me that we needed to move and live on a farm!

I love this time of year so much. The earthy colors everywhere, the food, the cooler weather, the excitement of Halloween and other fun things that have been put off during the long, hot summer. Our fieldtrip was full of the things I love about this time of year.

We can't wait to go back and get our Christmas tree! They have a Christmas tree farm too! Yea!!!!!

*Shove over* Martha!

I just had the best day!

After a rough week, well, okay, a rough couple of weeks... Or maybe they are all hard? Jackie said I always say, "Well, this week was crazy, but next week will be better!" An eternal optimist or just deluded? I need to stop talking about my weeks. I did want to video Zane's 45 minute tantrum last night, just to prove why I am exhausted/crazy/out of my head, but I resisted the urge. I sure don't want to be filmed at my worst. Or maybe I could use it for black mail later? Oh anyway...


I got up early and pushed Zane (in his super cool, new, super cheap Joovy stroller. Best stroller in the WHOLE world) up to a garage sale in our neighborhood. I got a Gap vest, a dress and a white wicker shelf for my bathroom for towels and stuff for $9. The dress is from White House/Black Market, and the tags. are. still. on. it. And yes, that says $78. Glee!!!!! I love the vest too. I get too hot in regular jackets, and I think I'll wear that all winter.




So Zane and I are walking back down the hill, and I look up, and a HUGE hot air balloon is floating across our neighborhood. I mean almost touching the roofs. I took off running, thank goodness for "Couch to 5K," and got to the house to show Allen and the kids. We saw it land, and took off to go see it up close. The kids and I had studied them in school, so we loved seeing it up close. We were outside with our neighbors, most of whom were still in their pj's and it was so nice to meet them. Really nice people! Anyway, we never figured out what it was for, but they loaded that sucker up and off they went. Made me want to ride one in a bad way.



So then I went to pick up veggie coop, and told Allen I was going to run away for awhile too. I needed the break! I stumbled across 2 more really great yard sales, and found some crazy deals. I got a Build-a-Bear bear with a red and white cheerleading outfit and accessories still in the box, for $.50. Yeah, fifty cents. Sometimes I feel guilty taking people's stuff for so cheap.
I got some great stuff for the house too. I have to post a picture of this clock I got. Man, I love garage sales.


So after a quick run to Chick-fil-A for the kiddos, I decided I was in the mood to bake. I love love love to cook and bake, especially in the fall and winter. So I pulled out my trusty amazing pumpkin bread recipe and made pumpkin muffins and loaves of pumpkin bread. I even made homemade cream cheese icing for the muffins. Pumpkin and cream cheese icing cupcakes! OH MY GOSH!!!! Then I made potato soup. A huge pot, that we can eat on this weekend and freeze for later too. I finished off with pumpkin cookies. I am trying to fatten my children, not add back on my recently tiny tiny poundage loss from my rear. Actually I think I lost 3 pounds from places like my ankles and wrists, because my rear is no smaller than it was a month ago. So I'm going to not each as much of this stuff as I want to. Really.
Jude and Zane, I mean Spiderman (you have to say it like Zane does. "Spiderman. Like a Jewish man. Like Goldman. "Goldmon" "Spidermon") helped. Only for a few minutes, though. I am guiltily thankful for the brief help. Bad Mommy.


Allen had to go play two jobs early, so instead of being sad, I got a shower and cleaned up the kitchen as much as I had the energy for. Then I got a small glass of red wine (it helps prevent lung cancer it was reported this week-oh happy joy!) and sat down with last Sunday's paper. Thought I should read it before this week's comes out! There is even a race on, so I think I'll watch it and read my Harry Potter book. Oh, I haven't mentioned that? Eh, probably a reason for that...


I am just so thankful for a super happy fun day! I tell Laney, you really have to have bad days to recognize and enjoy the good days. I really enjoyed this good day! Thank you, Jesus!
Oh, and while I was bouncing around the kitchen, being Martha Stewart, singing a David Crowder song, it dawned on me that I don't thank the Lord enough for the Holy Spirit. I mean I don't praise the Holy Spirit enough. Thanks, David, for point that out to me. I really learned something today! "O For a Thousand Tounges" is the song.


"Praise praise the Father, Praise the Son. Praise Holy Spirit three in one. O praise Him. Alleluia!...."

And...... here are my recipes, only if you're curious!





Look at the icing!! Don't you just want to DIVE into it? Well, I know Jennifer doesn't, but anyone else? Besides me?


Well, I had to lick the beaters. The kids were outside, and besides, there are 3 kids and only 2 beaters. So, it was a job that I just had to do.


http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cream-Cheese-Frosting-I-2/Detail.aspx (Sans the cream.)


http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Iced-Pumpkin-Cookies/Detail.aspx We ate them uniced. I think we were icinged out.


http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Downeast-Maine-Pumpkin-Bread/Detail.aspx



My favorite soup in the whole entire world.



http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Old-Fashioned-Potato-Soup/Detail.aspx