Family Photos 2010

We went for a drive up to Carr Canyon this morning to take family pictures. This is the first "real" family portraits we have gotten done since Tommy has been born. Although I went into the day thinking I wasn't going to get any pictures worth mentioning, there is one I absolutely LOVE! Totally excited about it! And the best part is.... It looks good cropped differently and in black and white..... so here we go!....

I am having a hard time deciding which one to put in my Christmas card this year.... but I still have a few more weeks to decide on that.

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

Nap Time

After a rough "terrible 2" morning.... I was about ready to rip my hair out. In order to get a little peace and gather my wits, I put a movie on for Rebekah and gave her lunch. After about 20 minutes.... all my previous frustrations and anger drained away. My precious girl was fast asleep, her head pillowed on a giant purple hippopotamus. Too cute not to capture and share. Pictures below...

The orange on her mouth is from her chips....

Isn't she sweet!!!

I think fall is a crafty season!

So along with Rebekah's tutu, and the french memo board... I've added to my crafty list Autumn wreaths and I finally got the wood to start making my PO Box bank! I'm very excited :)

The wood I chose for my bank

My bank face

The kids are growing like weeds. Rebekah is tall enough we have to get her 3T clothes, and Tommy has started cruising, so it's only a matter of time before he is running the roost! (and honestly, I can't WAIT! It's so much fun once they can walk!!!)

another crafty moment.... plus some

So..... In order to make a display board for my sister in law's up coming Bridal Shower, I decided to make her a French Memo Board... I had made a couple of them before, but it was fun to do it again. I love these things... and when I figure out how to decorate my bedroom, I will make another. I'm also thinking of making one with holiday material to display my Christmas Cards!! :)

Here's a couple of shots to show my progress....

the material and ribbon

getting started

Finished product!

Last Sunday we also went out to Apple Annie's to get pumpkins. Some will be carved, and some will be used to (try) to make pumpkin pie from scratch!!! The sunflowers there were gorgeous!

Rebekah picked her very own pumpkin

Our attempt at a family photo

And a couple of the kids.. just because!

So sleepy!

Cooking noodles

Playing while camping

In their Halloween jammies

Playing :)

Watching a movie with Daddy

 

 

Well, that's all for now! I'm looking forward to the holidays coming up, and will remember to count all my blessings this year!

Martha Stewart...

I've been accused of many things... but being a "Martha-frickin-Stewart" is not one I will take offense to.
I like to make things... and I like to be "crafty". I like cooking, scrapbooking, and other hands on type projects.

I just got done making the skirt/tutu for Rebekah's Halloween outfit.
She's going to be a bumblebee.... and this is what I did...

The materials: non-roll elastic and 6 yards of tulle

Elastic sewn to make a band and the tulle all cut up. 

It was a bugger!!

getting started....

about 1/2 way done. I'm loving how it looks!

finished product. TOO cute!

It was fun!

Home is.....

After all the drama and excitement of Ben going to Missouri to pursue a (potential) new job.... God revealed His will for us. And that's to stay right where we are for now.
And after a few days of disappointment, I can honestly say I am OK with that. I love our house, and we have a laundry list of things that we want to do here anyways. From fixing up a few things around the house, to personal projects (crafts and scrapbooks), to vacations, home decorating, and more!
That and I am excited about the upcoming holidays!!! (Yes I know we still have a couple of months, but I like to get an early start) This year I am hoping VERY MUCH to get a few sessions scheduled to take holiday/family pictures for people. I have one so far!

I just want to say I am very thankful and blessed for everything I have in my life!

Hush Puppies

Some of you know that I *adore* cooking. I am no master chef, by any means... but I enjoy finding new recipies and making most of my food from scratch. Well, I've been wanting hush puppies for awhile now, but the only place in town I knew of to get them closed down awhile back.
Looking through the cabinets trying to figure out what to make, I saw a container of cornmeal, and the urge for hush puppies hit full force. So I went to my trusty "cookbook" that's not really a cookbook at all. I have a love affair with the website allrecipies.com I looked through a few recipies and decided what to comine to make my own version...
This is what I came up with......

3 c. Yellow Corn Meal
1 c. All-Purpose Flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 ts. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
2 tsp. season salt
1 1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. water
1 sm onion; minced (although I think it could have used more onion)
1 egg; beaten

Heat oil to 365 degrees...
Mix the corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and spices. Add milk and water, mix well. Then mix in egg & onion.

*note* the batter should not be "soupy" if it looks too wet add a little more corn meal
Drop (I use a tsp sized ice cream scoop) batter into hot oil and cook until golden brown (and floating).

Serve hot!!!

Maker beware..... this recipe yields a LOT of puppies!!

If anyone actually tries this recipe, let me know what you think!!