Paper Bird

It is amazing how fast life can rush us along. Everyday the current seems to flow faster and faster, especially around this holiday time. We try to swim against the current, only being swept down the rapids of demand. Trying to fight the passing time, trying to hold on to every grain of the hour glass only to our demise. So much to get done and seemingly so little time. Sometimes it seems we can only enjoy the surreal moments through the memories and photos of the wonderful times had.  For the last four years the girl has been part of the Nutcracker Ballet put on by the dance company she belongs to. It demands an incredible amount of time and dedication.  Not only by her but also by her Dad and I.  It is an amazing production to be part of but it keeps us in the hurried flow from early September to the week before Thanksgiving.  We love it, we hate it... but we always come back.  Sometimes we choose the rapids in life, but if we can keep our head above water- it's all good.

Everyone came to support the girl so we celebrated Thanksgiving early.

  Can I be honest.  I get a little cranky  when it comes to family pictures.  I always hope to get some great photographs when the family gathers together.  When you have 17 people all trying to smile pretty at the same time- it never happens.  This was the best we could get with the munchkins.

Because we celebrated Thanksgiving early with the kids it was just the hubby and I and little Lu Lu.  The hubby rolled his eyes when I set this table for three in front of the fireplace.  He is getting really good at the eye rolling.

But he is the best dishwasher I know.  As I prepared our Thanksgiving feast he washed every dish and kept the counters clean.  He even peeled the potatoes and formed the pie crust in the pie plates.

Pretty good for a guy, don't you think?

We soaked the turkey in a apple cider brine.  Truthfully, it really doesn't matter how you season or marinate your turkey- in the end, it still tastes like turkey. The brine did make the turkey extremely moist.

A friend gave me some pretty cabbage from her garden- I think it made a pretty Thanksgiving bouquet.
 
 
 

I hope this season of Thanksgiving was filled with blessings for you.

With Christmas coming, the holiday current will pull us in the rapid of demands.  Girls, Keep your head above the water.  Enjoy this beautiful season.

  
 

These autumn days have been incredible with beauty.  The colors spectacular. A parade of pretty reds and yellows cascade the mountains where we live.  But as the trees begin to drop their leaves exposing barren branches I know that winter is soon to call.  Like a bear hibernating through the winter freeze I will be cozying up in my home sweet home.  As much as I love the summertime it seems as if we are always on the go.  Winter is slower paced, our days spent at home.  I do love that.  I am excited for these days to come.  But to keep myself from falling into a depression of winter blues I have signed up to take two on-line classes.  I am really excited about each one, both presented by amazing artists. I am taking a  four week mixed media- painting layers workshop by Misty Mawn.  Misty has created a wonderful workshop filled to the brim with inspiration and "Misty Magic"  She is amazingly talented and is very generous with her painting techniques.  I have also registered to take an online Journal class taught by the talented Stephanie Lee. For sometime now it has become my goal to improve my writing skills.  It is very much a skill and one that does not come easily to me.  I stress with each post I write for this blog that I have created.  I am hoping that this class will help me become a bit more comfortable with writing. I noticed that Stephanie still has space available, stop by and see what a great class she is offering.

I want to thank sweet Rose for awarding me with 

the Kreativ Bogger award.  

She is a sweet spirit and truly I feel honored to receive the kindness she has offered.  Thank you Rose.

I have never been one to pick favorites.  I have been inspired by so many blogs.

So I award this to each and every blog out there who inspires goodness.

(Call me the cowardly lion!)

        In accepting this award I am required to tell you seven things about myself- scroll to the bottom of the post.                       

A few pictures of my home decorated for fall and a peek at Lou Lou's bedroom.

A place to gather

Pumpkin carved by my hubby from a cedar block.

Antique turkey decoration.

Pretty bird cake plate with a tiny antique pie server.

Bittersweet Bouquet

I found him on a clearance shelf- I thought he needed a home

A birthday gift from a talented friend -Doll maker Christine Crocker. 

Just a peek at Lou Lou's room.

She loves color

 

Seven things about me

1.  I eat way too much sugar

2.  I love Sunday Naps

3.  I hate to do laundry

4.  I wish I was taller

5.  I am going to France in April

6.  My husband is my best friend  

7.  I am frustrated with our government- both republican and democrats  

November days

 These November days seem to be passing by so quickly.  Where does the time go?  This weekend was a whirlwind.  I got caught in the wind being tossed to and fro landing on Tuesday, where did Monday go?  It was a busy time but I am thankful for a new week.  We celebrated little Lou Lou's 12th birthday.  A great time spent with family and friends, cupcakes and laughter.  It was a good day.  It was even a good week, although I damaged my hubby's truck on a shopping spree with the girl.  Oh the sickness I felt in my stomach when it happened. I wanted to run away, not face my husband and tell him the gut wrenching news.  There were tears, but I confessed my sin. He remained calm as he assessed the damage, I expected the worse but he was kind and understanding. He gave me a hug and smiling he said "it's just a truck". 

It is just a truck, something material that can be fixed.  Sometimes our words and actions can cause hurt and sometimes these types of wounds are not so easily bandaged.  Lessons I have learned from 32 years of marriage.  As I reflect on these 32 years of marriage I cringe at things we have both said to each other when we have been angry.  We have grown up and each day a learning process, we have become kinder and more respectful, a better example to each other and our children.  No way near to perfect because you should have heard what he said to me when I told him how much I paid for the antique dresser I bought for the birthday girl!  (LOL!)  He did apologize!

We are in the process of redecorating Lou Lou's bedroom.

This is the Antique dresser she picked out.

Hopefully by the weekend we will have her room completed.

Can't wait to show you what a great little decorator she is.

And the truck, well it needs a really big bandage!

 

Don't you hate it when those bright yellow cement poles just jump out from nowhere?

About The Girl

My heart sighs as my little one- not so little any more has just turned twelve.  Each day I see amazing changes as she is growing into such a lovely young lady.  Watching her grow is bittersweet.  Just as it has been with each one of my children.  She is the youngest and the last of my Peeps in the nest.  I see these precious years fleeting, the years rushing past.  Not long ago I held her in my arms inhaling her sweet baby breath and admiring her dark beautiful eyes.  Through passing years she has grown, her eyes still dark and beautiful but now behind them stands a young lady.  I don't remember getting older, so how did she?  Somehow I would love to slowdown the ticking clock, to keep her precious youth. But the realization is that life marches on whether we want it to or not. Each day is precious and a  blessing.  So as I watch her grow into a lovely young women just like my older daughters, I will savor these sweet days of her youth.  Yes, my heart sighs!

Pictures by Ally Lewis

 1st three songs on my playlist- Little Lou Lou's favorites.

Frightfully Good Time

Did you experience a frightfully good time this All Hallows' Eve?

Magical moments transpired here.

Masquerading visitors in enchanting costumes giggled with delight as they came a calling for delicious treats. Family and friends gathered as the spirit of Halloween promised good times.

Mischief abound, all in good fun on this magical eve as Trick-or-treaters gathered on the Autumn landscape decorated with wicked pumpkin creations and eerie decorations.

 We had a wonderful time- I hope the spirit of Halloween manifested a frightfully good time for you as well!

 

 

The GOULS were out this ALL Hallows' Eve!

 

 

 

 

 

Be Witchy

Sometimes my husband can be a  WITCH!

But usually only once a year!

 

I think he is handsome.

 

But once a year he puts on a whole new face.

  

It is quite the transformation.

It takes time... 

and talent to get this look.

 

 

Sorry girls, won't find this wardrobe at Anthropologie!

Some men are Macho enough to be Witchy!

Now for a bewitching dessert,

one of my very favorites- Bread Pudding.

 10 large Croissants

3 jumbo eggs beaten

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 1/2 cups Half and Half

2 full TBS. orange zest

3/4 TBS tsp. cinnamon 

4 TBS. melted butter

1/2 tsp. salt

about 2 TBS. Grand Mariner

2 TBS. melted butter for your 9x13 dish

Your desired fruit

My favorite is Raspberries- one container and home canned peaches mixed in.

You can us just raisins if you prefer.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

brush a 9 x 13 pan with 2 TBS. melted butter

Break croissants into bite size pieces

add your desired fruit

In a large mixing bowl

add eggs, sweetened condensed milk, half and half, melted butter, cinnamon, salt, orange zest.

Mix thoroughly

gently add Grand Marnier Liqueur

Pour EVENLY over Croissants and fruit

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.

sometimes it looks wet on top but no worries- if a knife inserted comes out clean it's good- just don't over bake because you want this to be moist

(Sauce)

1 stick of REAL butter

1 cup sugar- I use a bakers sugar

1/2 cup canned milk

melt ingredients in a small sauce pan on medium heat

bring to a boil and add Grand Marnier Liqueur to taste

not too much- mix in well and serve over bread pudding 

garnish with whipped cream. 

some suggestions-

If you are adding apples I would pre-cook them a little before you add them to the bread pudding -also you can use rum or good vanilla instead of the Grand Mariner Liqueur for both the bread pudding and the sauce.  This just depends on the fruit you use.  if you are using raisins- the rum is a better choice- the same for apples.   Worth every single calorie. 

Enjoy!

Happy Halloween

Today...

Today I will not sulk.  

I may shed a tear or two, but I will not sulk.

Today I will have my favorite breakfast. 

One bacon egg and cheese Mc Griddle and one nonfat hot chocolate- 

extra whipped cream please!

Today I will resist the temptation to clean my already clean house.  

It will still be here tomorrow.

Today I will leave my PJ's in the cubby and I will wear something nice, 

maybe something orange, my new favorite color.

Today I will paint or create something pretty.

Today I will make my favorite dessert, raspberry peach bread pudding 

and I will use my hoarded jar of fresh peaches.  

Today I will not worry about calories. 

Today I will treasure time with friends and family.

Today I will not notice the gray in my hair and the wrinkles that seem to appear daily.

Today, when my body is tired and before I lay to rest, I will get on my knees and thank my Heavenly Father for this beautiful life that I have been given. 

Today I am 50.

 

PS. 

Today, I am supposed to be in the Sunny Florida keys with my Sweetheart.

I can sulk and even shed a tear or two

But it won't change the fact that 

life happens and sometimes our plans are interrupted.

My Sweetheart has been down with the flu since Friday.

Today I will count my blessings that it is merely the flu and nothing worse.

Sunny Florida... another day, another time :)

Today... home, where my heart is.

Witches Night Out

My friend Heidi and I hosted a "Witches Night Out" party.

A party for all good witches.

The Artsy kind.

 

We hosted this party for the art group that we belong to.

It was such a fun evening, we loved planning every little detail.

 

 

It's not often we get to pretend we are "Martha", but for one bewitching evening we did.

Welcome to our "Witches Night Out"

 

 
 
Halloween spooks hung around.

 

 

 

 

 

A handmade witch broom

Pretty flowers and sweet orange pumpkins.

Caramelized pears for the salad

A savory onion sauce for the butternut squash ravioli.

Witch Craft kits.

Bewitching talents.

It was a magical evening.

Some wore their very best witch ware.

Of course we kept witches hours!

Magical Autumns

I do love the summertime, 

but Autumn seems to be such a magical time of year.

Magical colors, so deep and lovely seem to burst from every branch. 

 Fallen leaves adorn the lawn.

Fat orange pumpkins decorate porches. 

It is a magical time to celebrate family traditions.

Traditions that seem to be the threads of life that bond a family close together.

Creating memories that will forever hold a place in our hearts.

Traditions that will affirm our family values, our faith and our life experiences.

Traditions that will keep us connected to our past and keep us rooted in the cultures of our heritage.

 As I see my children getting older, myself too...  I realize how quickly time is passing.  I see how important it is to maintain family traditions.

To laugh

 

and play.... 

and be thankful for each magical day!

Apron Frenzy

Recently I took a load of unwanted useful goods to the Good Will.  Packed in my box were a bundle of overalls that I had not worn for years.  I kept them thinking that I might re-purpose them, maybe making a denim quilt.  There they sat collecting dust until one particular day when I became possessed with that obsessive need to clean, organize and rearrange everything in sight. You know those days, when you are like a runaway freight train and nobody should get in the way.  The days where the hubby just rolls his eyes knowing that this obsessive frenzy is beyond his control. 

Long story short- the overalls went to the Good Will.

I thought twice about getting rid of them.

But in the end I knew I would never have a use for them...

Until... I discovered this apron!

Maybe someone else will make really cute aprons with my discarded overalls!

Speaking of aprons,

have you noticed the frenzy with aprons?

There are so many wonderful collections...

Like here from  Dottie Angel

I love her sweet Apron made from recycled thrifty finds and vintage goodness. 

 

If you have an addiction you might want to look here .

Aprons for the Peeps by Key 2 Life.

And for Apron inspiration- Apronology!

My favorite aprons is one I bought at an antique store.

It's colors faded, a pretty red and blue.

Someone's Grandmothers apron perhaps?

Do you remember your grandmother's apron?

An all purpose apron...

"Grandma's Apron"

When I used to visit Grandma. I was very much impressed,
by her all-purpose apron, and the power it possessed.
For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.
The strings were tied and freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.
She used it for a basket, when she gathered up the eggs,
and flapped it as a weapon, when hens pecked her feet and legs.
She used it to carry kindling when she stoked the kitchen fire.
And to hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
She used it for a hot pad, to remove a steaming pan,
and when her brow was heated, she used it for a fan.
It dried our childish tears, when we'd scrape a knee and cry,
and made a hiding place when the little ones were shy.
Farm produce took in season, in the summer, spring and fall,
found its way into the kitchen from Grandma's carry all.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I'm sure the apron she chose that day, was her Sunday best.
(author unknown)