I recently watched an episode of Oprah that really struck me. If you have a moment, take about 4 minutes and watch this.
The whole episode was very, very interesting. This man, John of God, has a home where he sees people 3 days a week. Nearly 1000 people each day. He does not charge money and he has a second grade education with no medical background. If you go to You Tube, you can find lots more information on him. (Warning some of the footage is graphic b/c he does surgeries on peoples' bodies so there is blood and some more disturbing shots of procedures he does so don't let little ones watch) But what he is doing in his small Brazillian town is nothing short of amazing. Surgeries without anesthetics. Spiritual surgeries that cure cancer without even touching someone. Spiritual re-uniting with lost loved ones.
My favorite guest was a doctor who had studied medicine at Harvard. His words and experience, to this day, he cannot fully explain. But he believes after this experience that people's minds are far more powerful that we think. He also believes that people's spirits are so much more important than our bodies and our human lives. We are so much bigger than that. I'm still trying to wrap my head around just his testimony alone! All of the guests (4 in total) spoke to the amazing power of positive thinking and hopefulness that eminates from everyone visiting there. So we can heal each other just by banning together and thinking about being healed? Kind of amazing when you think about it.
So what did I conclude? I'm not sure at this point just yet, but the thoughts stuck with me as I sat in church this morning and thought about faith. A blind faith in something bigger than myself. I have always considered myself a faithful person. I believe that people can be healed. I believe in miracles. I have never been one who believes the power to create the unexplainable ones anyway, lies within human hands. But this episode certainly did change the way I see the world a little. Check him out! I bet you won't be disappointed!
November 24, 2010
November 23, 2010
Fall Fun!
For Jer’s birthday I decided I wanted to make the day special for him. He loves fall and Halloween and the festive feeling that surrounds his birthday. So I researched some fun ideas and came up with two. A Hot Spiced Cider and I wanted to try my hand at Carmel Apples! The cider in all honesty was too tart. Maybe more brown sugar…but anyway…it wasn’t as festive as I hoped. The caramel apples though…they were great!
Here’s the recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart:
6 craft sticks
1 - 2 package(s)** individually wrapped Caramels (14oz)
1 to 2 tablespoons of milk
6 Apples
**I used large Gayla Apples and so I bought two bags of caramels**
Some tips that helped us:
**The instructions suggested microwaving the caramels. D.O.N.’T. My apples with the micro-waved caramel were too heavy and the caramel was too thick. So we put the milk and caramels on the stove top.
**I also eyeballed the milk amount and probably ended up with about 5 tablespoons. Much better ease when rolling the apples and a better result!
Here’s the recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart:
6 craft sticks
1 - 2 package(s)** individually wrapped Caramels (14oz)
1 to 2 tablespoons of milk
6 Apples
**I used large Gayla Apples and so I bought two bags of caramels**
Some tips that helped us:
**The instructions suggested microwaving the caramels. D.O.N.’T. My apples with the micro-waved caramel were too heavy and the caramel was too thick. So we put the milk and caramels on the stove top.
**I also eyeballed the milk amount and probably ended up with about 5 tablespoons. Much better ease when rolling the apples and a better result!
November 22, 2010
A new house project
Why yes...you read that right! Another house project! If there is one thing I've learned about me and home ownership, it's that changing things help me to feel at home in my home! And I just flat out enjoy the process and the creativity!
On our recent Lake Retreat we had some discussion over what was so relaxing about that particular place. Besides a few obvious things (amazing view, total peace and quiet, removed from all hussle and bussle), we noted that our favorite spot in the condo happened to be the living room with it’s fireplace and flat screen TV and big ottoman and comfy blankets. The condo's living room felt like home. It was peaceful and most importantly COMFY!! So we started a list of what we thought made it so awesome and vowed to bring it to our living room once again! We've got the fireplace and the nice TV and even some cozy blankets. But over the past few years, our couch has gotten very destroyed by our dog. We need to purchase new pillows and throw some color, photos and US into our space!! We have also longed for an ottoman that would give us a space to throw up our feet and give us some much needed storage and organization.
All that being said, one of my goals this past weekend was to begin to work on some updates to our living room. We did some couch shopping and are hoping to score a good deal on Black Friday...so we're waiting it out! We also began looking for a new entertainment center. We would like to give our TV a new (lowe)home! Our son spends a lot of time staring UP like this:
On our recent Lake Retreat we had some discussion over what was so relaxing about that particular place. Besides a few obvious things (amazing view, total peace and quiet, removed from all hussle and bussle), we noted that our favorite spot in the condo happened to be the living room with it’s fireplace and flat screen TV and big ottoman and comfy blankets. The condo's living room felt like home. It was peaceful and most importantly COMFY!! So we started a list of what we thought made it so awesome and vowed to bring it to our living room once again! We've got the fireplace and the nice TV and even some cozy blankets. But over the past few years, our couch has gotten very destroyed by our dog. We need to purchase new pillows and throw some color, photos and US into our space!! We have also longed for an ottoman that would give us a space to throw up our feet and give us some much needed storage and organization.
All that being said, one of my goals this past weekend was to begin to work on some updates to our living room. We did some couch shopping and are hoping to score a good deal on Black Friday...so we're waiting it out! We also began looking for a new entertainment center. We would like to give our TV a new (lowe)home! Our son spends a lot of time staring UP like this:
To remedy that we bought this:
We also purchased this table to help remedy the problem we're having of no end tables.
We're not going in the most practical order, but we decided to cut some costs and to get creative. So we're pulling our own style together! I'm excited!! Wish us luck as we hunt for a couch on Friday and hopefully get a chance to do some living room re-arranging over the long weekend!!
November 20, 2010
Our Lake Retreat
I mentioned last week that Jer and I were taking a few days off to get out of town and get away from the world for awhile. I can say with definite certainty that the trip was the perfect little retreat for us. It was just exactly what we needed in so many ways. We played Yahtzee on the deck of our condo. Watched more movies in 3 days then we’ve watched in the past couple of months and ate until we were stuffed for nearly every meal. The weather was perfect. The condo was perfect. The trip itself could not have been more perfect. I was so glad that for just a few days, we were able to put it away and be just Jess and Jer for awhile. Two people who didn’t have the worries of life to distract us! We truly relaxed and unwound in a big way.
The first day of our trip we rented movies, cooked frozen pizza and made margaritas. The second day we slept in, drank fresh-brewed coffee and watched the lake sparkle until lunch time. We chowed on some Half-Sauced BBQ for lunch, took a spin around the mall, found Owen some PJ’s, bought me new boots and a vest and replaced Jer’s lost wallet. That night we got gussied up and went to dinner at our favorite Italian place on the lake and called it a night. The next day we woke up to rain but decided to trek to the woods anyway. Ha Ha Tonka did not disappoint and we enjoyed a homemade picnic lunch of chicken salad and veggies and dip I brought along for us. The rain even managed to hold off most of the hike but ended up running us off to the car for shelter at the very end of the afternoon. That afternoon we did some more relaxing, enjoyed a steak dinner, did a little more mall browsing (to walk off our steak!!) and movie watching. I caught over 12 hours of sleep our last night there. It was oh so wonderful! Saturday morning we got up and moving, soaked up some more of our lake view, packed up our bags, had breakfast at our favorite breakfast hot spot and returned home to our little boy. I was so excited to see his chubby little cheeks I cried!
We took a ton of pictures while hiking...so many so I plan to do a seperate post! Coming soon :)
The first day of our trip we rented movies, cooked frozen pizza and made margaritas. The second day we slept in, drank fresh-brewed coffee and watched the lake sparkle until lunch time. We chowed on some Half-Sauced BBQ for lunch, took a spin around the mall, found Owen some PJ’s, bought me new boots and a vest and replaced Jer’s lost wallet. That night we got gussied up and went to dinner at our favorite Italian place on the lake and called it a night. The next day we woke up to rain but decided to trek to the woods anyway. Ha Ha Tonka did not disappoint and we enjoyed a homemade picnic lunch of chicken salad and veggies and dip I brought along for us. The rain even managed to hold off most of the hike but ended up running us off to the car for shelter at the very end of the afternoon. That afternoon we did some more relaxing, enjoyed a steak dinner, did a little more mall browsing (to walk off our steak!!) and movie watching. I caught over 12 hours of sleep our last night there. It was oh so wonderful! Saturday morning we got up and moving, soaked up some more of our lake view, packed up our bags, had breakfast at our favorite breakfast hot spot and returned home to our little boy. I was so excited to see his chubby little cheeks I cried!
We took a ton of pictures while hiking...so many so I plan to do a seperate post! Coming soon :)
November 19, 2010
Making it from Scratch – Chicken Noodle/Dumplings
Jeremy and I have tried our hand at a few different ways to make chicken noodle soup/chicken and dumplings…and I think we finally settled on a version that suits us! Here is what you need to make the most delicious bowl of chicken noodle soup!!
The following makes enough to share:
14 to 16 cups of water14 to 16 chicken bouillon cubes
4 to 6 chicken breast (cubed, I usually plan for one per person)One small onion diced
4 stalks of celery
At least 1lb of carrots chopped or sliced
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
2 bay leaves
Garlic Salt
Pepper
Homemade noodles:
2 ½ cups of flour
¼ cup ice water
Pinch of salt
Black pepperSaute onions with a little oil. Once they are translucent, throw in cubed chicken breast. Season to taste with Garlic salt and cracked pepper. Cook until chicken is cooked through and slightly browned.
Once chicken is cooked, add to boiling water. Add your cans of cream of chicken soup. Let everything cook together on medium heat.
Begin preparing noodles.
For noodles:
These are by no means hard, but they are a part of the soup that we play around with nearly every time. So use your best judgment on amounts of flour and water.
Put flour in a small bowl and slowly incorporate water. You may need more or less. This is a part that we eyeball and sometimes it’s more, sometimes it’s less. As you kneed the dough will become sticky. Make sure to work the dough until all flour is incorporated. Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface (we use the counter). Kneed dough and continue to work until it is springy. Once the dough is pliable and not sticky, begin rolling with a rolling pin. We roll dough into a thin layer (about 1/8 an inch or a little thicker). Then use a pizza cutter to cut long strips. We cut strips in half or quarters then slowly drop noodles into soup.
Once all noodles are in the pot, gently rotate the pot to get the noodles to settle in. I missed getting pictures because my hands were covered in flour. Next time maybe I'll have Jer snap some photos of the noodle/dumpling process. I made these ones HUGE.
Let all ingredients simmer together for at least an hour. And I think it’s even better the next day! I hope you enjoy!
November 17, 2010
November 13, 2010
Head over heels!!
I am one of those girls with what some might call high maintenance hair. While it can be a lot of work, I enjoy knowing that depending on my mood I can do whatever I would like. I can let it go tousled and messy if I’m tired. I can curl it into big bouncy curls if I’m feeling girly, or I can glam it up with my flat iron if I’m in the mood for a straight, sleek hair-do. So that being said I also am one of those girls who own a couple different styling tools. I have a flat iron and a curling iron. I also own hot rollers AND I have tousle spray for the messy days. And I can’t have just your average $30 flat iron. My hair likes the heat offered by the likes of a BioSilk or CHI flat iron.
Well as of the last month or more my previous flat iron left me high and dry. I battled with it and its faulty switch for about 6 months. When I say faulty switch, I mean the kind that you might need to bang on the bathroom sink to bring to life. Or if you left it on too long…it just might stop all together until it cooled off enough to hit the test button on the plug and then toggle the on/off switch 7 more times…then it MIGHT come to life. So in all honesty when it finally…finally quit and none of my tricks would work…I gave my hair a flat iron break and stuck to the messy look…or the curling iron barrel-curled look. Both were fine…but after awhile I missed my flat iron something terrible. So this past weekend I broke down and made the purchase. I decided to hit Beauty Brands knowing they carried several top-of-the-line brands.
I can officially say I am head over heels for this beautiful piece of styling equipment!
It even came with its hot bag for when I need to iron and dash or take it with me on vacation! You could say it was love at first iron. It works so well I will be able to cut down on the iron spray I need to use as well which is always a bonus!! Thank you CHI for making a fabulously amazing flat iron that is helping me spend less time getting ready and more time with smooth straight hair!
November 12, 2010
Owen Remember Always
How you fell asleep when I read you the Cat in the Hat
That the next night you handed it to Dadda and did the exact same thing
That you are ok with allowing Dadda and I to take turns getting you up and putting you to bed. Both times are precious times with you and we enjoy getting to do both!
Our trip to Children’s hospital and how awesome you were the whole day…even though you had no idea what was going on and had every right to be a total crab.
How cute you look in your dark blue jeans and your striped fleece sweatshirt.
That you stack the rings on your shape barn over and over again. Did I mention over and over? It’s crazy how much you love to stack and have us count with you and clap when you’re all done!
The night that you curled up with me in our bed and really snuggled up and we watched Princess and the Frog together till bedtime.
That you started saying bye bye to everyone. And you know when you are ready to go somewhere…you start saying it…even if we aren’t leaving yet.
The morning you grabbed my finger and said, Bye? With question in your eye. You were ready to go to work with me. It melted my heart so much!
Your glow in the dark PJ’s
That you spin in circles when you are dancing and open your eyes really wide after each turn. It cracks me up!!
The powdered sugar on your face when you eat a donut in the morning.
Finding your blocks and toys in strange places because you left them there
Playing with your bathtub letters and numbers. You would stick them to the side of the tub, we’d count to 5 or so and then you would get all excited and pull them off and splash in the water.
How much you HATE getting your haircut, but how adorable you look with it freshly trimmed.
That you held a pumpkin all the way home from Golden Eagle Ferry and talked to it and played the entire rest of the ride!!
That you laugh through all of Bolt. Every time he’s on the screen you find it necessary to giggle non-stop.
That you are now saying Me Me Me. And Beebee. Beebee. Beebee, also known as Me and Baby. I also like Beebee Baba. Baby Bye Bye.
How much you love to stack things
That you get frustrated when stacking doesn’t go quite as well as you would like it to!
That one morning when I went in to say good morning and I still had my towel on my head, you cried until I took it off. In fact you tried to pull it off and sat back down in your crib and looked at me with this look of fear. Once I took it off you stood up and wanted out! You little turkey! It’s just me under that towel I promise!
That you are pulling one cushion off the couch and sitting on the couch without the cushion. One day I assume you'll get that it isn't as comfy and leave the cushion on!
That you love peanut butter and ritz sandwiches
That you know when it's bed time and you have started crying real tears before we even get to your room...it's so hard to make you go sometimes!
That the next night you handed it to Dadda and did the exact same thing
That you are ok with allowing Dadda and I to take turns getting you up and putting you to bed. Both times are precious times with you and we enjoy getting to do both!
Our trip to Children’s hospital and how awesome you were the whole day…even though you had no idea what was going on and had every right to be a total crab.
How cute you look in your dark blue jeans and your striped fleece sweatshirt.
That you stack the rings on your shape barn over and over again. Did I mention over and over? It’s crazy how much you love to stack and have us count with you and clap when you’re all done!
The night that you curled up with me in our bed and really snuggled up and we watched Princess and the Frog together till bedtime.
That you started saying bye bye to everyone. And you know when you are ready to go somewhere…you start saying it…even if we aren’t leaving yet.
The morning you grabbed my finger and said, Bye? With question in your eye. You were ready to go to work with me. It melted my heart so much!
Your glow in the dark PJ’s
That you spin in circles when you are dancing and open your eyes really wide after each turn. It cracks me up!!
The powdered sugar on your face when you eat a donut in the morning.
Finding your blocks and toys in strange places because you left them there
Playing with your bathtub letters and numbers. You would stick them to the side of the tub, we’d count to 5 or so and then you would get all excited and pull them off and splash in the water.
How much you HATE getting your haircut, but how adorable you look with it freshly trimmed.
That you held a pumpkin all the way home from Golden Eagle Ferry and talked to it and played the entire rest of the ride!!
That you laugh through all of Bolt. Every time he’s on the screen you find it necessary to giggle non-stop.
That you are now saying Me Me Me. And Beebee. Beebee. Beebee, also known as Me and Baby. I also like Beebee Baba. Baby Bye Bye.
How much you love to stack things
That you get frustrated when stacking doesn’t go quite as well as you would like it to!
That one morning when I went in to say good morning and I still had my towel on my head, you cried until I took it off. In fact you tried to pull it off and sat back down in your crib and looked at me with this look of fear. Once I took it off you stood up and wanted out! You little turkey! It’s just me under that towel I promise!
That you are pulling one cushion off the couch and sitting on the couch without the cushion. One day I assume you'll get that it isn't as comfy and leave the cushion on!
That you love peanut butter and ritz sandwiches
That you know when it's bed time and you have started crying real tears before we even get to your room...it's so hard to make you go sometimes!
November 11, 2010
Thankful Thursday
I realize I just posted a thankful post on Saturday of this past week, but I wanted to try and keep on track with my thankfulness b/c it's always nice to have the good stuff to hang onto!! So here goes nothin'!
An extremely productive Friday
New towels for the bathroom
Killer sales at Kohls to buy said bath towels
My new flat iron
A date night with Jer and Owen to Edwardsville
Homemade lasagna
A Saturday morning with the O man
Making Steff chicken and dumplings for her birthday and her loving them!
Spending a Saturday night as Linoski's...there was a bonfire, smores and lots of fun!
Owen spending time with Grandma Linda
A busy but wonderful Sunday
Hosting friends at our home and learning about Finanical Peace (more on this in another post...this is a class we've been taking)
Meeting Adele Donoho for the first time...she's beautiful.
Linley family dinner at Roma's on Sunday night...it was so good to be together!
Owen telling everyone bye bye and giving hugs and kisses
That Mike is in good hands at Barnes right now
That Mike is going to be ok and will hopefully be back home very soon.
Text messages, emails and encouragement from Steff (she always knows just what I need to hear)
That Jer and I are still getting a chance to regroup this weekend and leave the world behind for awhile
Lots of busy-ness at work to keep my mind occupied
Driving in on Tuesday to beautiful weather, jam-free traffic and Kelly Clarkson blaring from the radio!
Owen's spinning circles. He will now do this when prompted and I can't help but crack up laughing!!!
The comfort I've been feeling since I read this post and the sense of calm saying these words outloud helped me to feel. Everything is going to be ok. And I feel it in my core.
Thank you God. For everything.
An extremely productive Friday
New towels for the bathroom
Killer sales at Kohls to buy said bath towels
My new flat iron
A date night with Jer and Owen to Edwardsville
Homemade lasagna
A Saturday morning with the O man
Making Steff chicken and dumplings for her birthday and her loving them!
Spending a Saturday night as Linoski's...there was a bonfire, smores and lots of fun!
Owen spending time with Grandma Linda
A busy but wonderful Sunday
Hosting friends at our home and learning about Finanical Peace (more on this in another post...this is a class we've been taking)
Meeting Adele Donoho for the first time...she's beautiful.
Linley family dinner at Roma's on Sunday night...it was so good to be together!
Owen telling everyone bye bye and giving hugs and kisses
That Mike is in good hands at Barnes right now
That Mike is going to be ok and will hopefully be back home very soon.
Text messages, emails and encouragement from Steff (she always knows just what I need to hear)
That Jer and I are still getting a chance to regroup this weekend and leave the world behind for awhile
Lots of busy-ness at work to keep my mind occupied
Driving in on Tuesday to beautiful weather, jam-free traffic and Kelly Clarkson blaring from the radio!
Owen's spinning circles. He will now do this when prompted and I can't help but crack up laughing!!!
The comfort I've been feeling since I read this post and the sense of calm saying these words outloud helped me to feel. Everything is going to be ok. And I feel it in my core.
Thank you God. For everything.
November 10, 2010
Mom and Dad are breakin’ loose!
For the second time since becoming Owen’s Momma and Dadda…Jer and I are leaving town and going somewhere overnight without him. Since having Owen this will be the longest time Jer and I have spent together just us. I will admit that I am feeling the pang of separation from Owen already. It’s such a bittersweet feeling!! I miss him already and we’re not even gone. BUT…I know the time will be just what we need. A few days to focus on ourselves. Leave work, stress, dishes, and responsibilities behind us.
What do we have planned? In all honesty, nothing too much. We rented a condo. We’re taking frozen pizza and movies. We have dinner/date night plans and a little shopping to do. And we hope to snag a hike at the State Park. Our condo has “sweeping views” of the lake according to the rental agreement. So my biggest goal is to sit and stare out the window…or if the weather is ok…off the porch and watch the water sparkle and enjoy some alone time with my hubby.
See you next week!
What do we have planned? In all honesty, nothing too much. We rented a condo. We’re taking frozen pizza and movies. We have dinner/date night plans and a little shopping to do. And we hope to snag a hike at the State Park. Our condo has “sweeping views” of the lake according to the rental agreement. So my biggest goal is to sit and stare out the window…or if the weather is ok…off the porch and watch the water sparkle and enjoy some alone time with my hubby.
See you next week!
November 9, 2010
There are no better words...
Thank you April for this post. I wanted to join you in this prayer, so I'm copying the words and posting them here as well. Strength in numbers right?
My best friend also told me to keep my head up and to rally together.
I think we will be ok, if we hang onto God and each other.
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
[Chorus
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
My best friend also told me to keep my head up and to rally together.
I think we will be ok, if we hang onto God and each other.
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
[Chorus
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
November 8, 2010
A Wedding Teaser
So I sat down to do some editing and downloading of photos from the wedding…I had a ton. And realized it’s going to take me awhile. So…in the meantime I wanted to load a couple teasers.
The only photo I have from the rehearsal is this. And this was at dinner after the rehearsal. This pretty much sums up Owen's rehearsal experience. He did NOT understand why it was necessary to do any of the business we were doing at the church that night! The end!
This cutie patootie was just adorable with her hair all curled ;)
And Miss Jackie after her do was all finished up! So pretty!
More to come!
November 6, 2010
Thankful Thursdays...a few days late!
This week I am thankful for:
Hanging with Owen on Thursday…even though he was sick there is nowhere else I’d rather be!
Shopping on Friday. Just me and my grocery list. I made 3 stops, loaded up on household needs and groceries. It was great!
Making caramel apples with Jer on Friday night
Seeing this little man dressed up on Saturday!
Celebrating Jer’s 28th birthday and talking with Steff and Bryan until 12am.
Take Care Clinic for the ear infection I got from catching Owen’s cold! The clinic had me set up with
antibiotics and on the mend within a few hours
A lazy Sunday in sweats, watching movies, snacking and relaxing at home.
Time to snuggle with Jer on the couch and watch a movie
An open Monday afternoon and evening!
Watching How to Tame Your Dragon…so so cute!!
Finding a new nickname for Purcey after watching “How to tame your Dragon.” There will be a post about this coming soon!
The motivation that being sick twice in one month has given me to take my vitamins, add some vitamin C to my diet and eat better!!
Linoski pizza night and the finale to our garland crafting!
Seester conversations…they truly are the best!
Planning a mini-get away with Jer, our first since Owen that is just the two of us…we cannot wait!
Hanging with Owen on Thursday…even though he was sick there is nowhere else I’d rather be!
Shopping on Friday. Just me and my grocery list. I made 3 stops, loaded up on household needs and groceries. It was great!
Making caramel apples with Jer on Friday night
Seeing this little man dressed up on Saturday!
Celebrating Jer’s 28th birthday and talking with Steff and Bryan until 12am.
Take Care Clinic for the ear infection I got from catching Owen’s cold! The clinic had me set up with
antibiotics and on the mend within a few hours
A lazy Sunday in sweats, watching movies, snacking and relaxing at home.
Time to snuggle with Jer on the couch and watch a movie
An open Monday afternoon and evening!
Watching How to Tame Your Dragon…so so cute!!
Finding a new nickname for Purcey after watching “How to tame your Dragon.” There will be a post about this coming soon!
The motivation that being sick twice in one month has given me to take my vitamins, add some vitamin C to my diet and eat better!!
Linoski pizza night and the finale to our garland crafting!
Seester conversations…they truly are the best!
Planning a mini-get away with Jer, our first since Owen that is just the two of us…we cannot wait!
November 5, 2010
November 1, 2010
It's a Jungle Out there!
Last year during Halloween we had a monkey among us...
This year we had a lion in our midst...
I LOVE Halloween!!!
What I’m going to miss…
I have a tendency to write things down that I intend to post and keep them in a word document. It’s kind of like a journal. A place where I write things down…the good stuff makes the blog…the bad/untimely or out-dated stuff hits the cutting room floor. This stuff never goes beyond my journal. But I rarely delete a working idea.. And as I was scrolling through this document on my desktop and I found this one. I’m not sure why I never posted it…maybe it just got too past the right moment for posting? After reading it I realized that though I love fall…there are many, many things I love about summer and spring. As the days turn darker earlier and earlier and the weather sends me shivering into the warmth of my house…I will miss summer even more this year because of the beautiful yard we were blessed with this summer. I truly enjoyed the escape…and looking back at this old post, I realize just how much! Where my mind wanders…a post I wrote this summer...
A few weeks back…one night after all the chaos of my house was at rest…dinner made…dishes done… kitchen counters wiped…PJ’s on…milk drank…story read…sleepy head snoozing in his crib…I wandered outside. Jer was working late…and I found myself in quiet. My first order of business was to water our garden. The weather was absolutely perfect. I’m willing to say that I could have that kind of weather all year round and never ever grow tired of it.
As I stood out in our yard I took a few deeps breaths and just tried to soak in the moment. It was the first time all day when I was peacefully enjoying a moment only for me and my mind wandered. I watched a lightning bug flash around in the dirt of our garden. I calculated the distance I want to put between some homemade lanterns I want to make and envisioned where I want to put them. And hoped I might ever get to them with all the other crazy ideas I’ve got rolling around in my head. Then I looked around the yard a bit. I have always loved the way the lightning bugs pop up around our yard in the summer. At the end of the day, they get to showing off…and it’s dazzling. I actually was inspired to write this blog…and contemplated ways to make it work like that scene from Marley and me…where he lists what he did for a whole year in simple sentences. I had a couple good ideas…and then as soon as they came they left. My mind wandered some more. I remembered a conversation with Jer last week about the lightning bugs. He told me he discovered them one night while outside working on the yard (insert link to previous post) It was completely dark out and he said it looked like someone was flashing pictures there were so many. I then made a mental note to remember to tell him how right he was. Anyway…I found myself lazily wandering around my plants, watering, picking, day dreaming. Totally lost in thought. Totally at peace. Totally content. Thinking about nothing and everything in a matter of 20 minutes. In that time, I realized how much I love this time of year. I have this little slice of heaven out in my backyard that I can take refuge in. And all I have to think about are the things happening back there or what comes to my head. Nothing more. Nothing less. I love looking at how much my barrel has filled in over the summer so far. How big our tomato plants are getting. How well our butterfly bushes are doing and how one is getting ready to bloom and be beautiful. It’s a space that always welcomes me. Good mood, bad mood or otherwise. I can go outside and check to see what it’s doing. Or loose myself in some other world of thoughts. It’s amazing how this can be an escape from the everyday. The everyday is where I live all the time…and every once in awhile…an escape is pretty awesome! Especially when it’s in my own back yard.
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