Uncle Sam's Family

Maddie's Piano Recital

2009-06-01T11:01:00.003-04:00

Madison began playing piano in January 2006. She loves music and is one of those rare children who actually enjoy sitting down to practice. Oh sure, we have our moments. Moments when she would rather be doing something else... anything else, but as she gets older they are fewer and farther between. God has truly blessed her with this gift and I have told her that from the first time I saw her play. On the way to her recital on Saturday I asked her if she was nervous. Her response was heartwarming: "Mom, I don't need to be nervous. God has given me this gift and He'll help me do my best."

Spring Break

2009-04-10T19:08:00.007-04:00

Friday already?!?! I can hardly believe that today is the last day of Spring Break! We decided to stay home and relax instead of traveling, which ended up being a great idea due to the fact that we had car issues in the middle of the week (which have all been resolved without having to sell a kidney to pay for repairs...). Here'a quick wrap up of just a few of the things we have done this week:

~ Girl Scout dance event ~

~ Pottery painting at a local studio ~

~ Bike riding ~

~ Playing at the local park ~

~ Playdates with friends ~

~ Sleep-over here with Maddie's BFF ~

~ Lots of reading ~

~ A visit from Uncle Bill & Aunt Nancy ~

~ And lots more I can't even remember.... ~

April 6th Already?!?

2009-04-06T21:43:00.016-04:00

The end of March came and went and somehow I have found myself 6 days into April. The past two weeks have been a blur, and here is a sampling of why:

~ Two Easter dresses for the girls ~

Plus a skirt for me, although I didn't take a picture

~ One birthday quilt finally marked, layered and pinned. ~

This has turned into a hand-quilt job, so the finished product will take a little longer than anticipated. I attempted to machine quilt this thing, but became frustrated with my standard machine. Now on my Christmas wish list: Longarm Sewing Machine.

~ Two cute little reversible summer jumpers ~

~ Two more projects that aren't quite far enough along for pictures ~

But here is a sampling of the fabrics for each project!

~ Spending time with the girls ~

Here they plant some pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

Check out the look Ella is giving Maddie... she cracks me up!!!

~ Teaching the girls to make real homemade ice cream ~

Here we have chocolate ice cream with Girl Scout Thin Mints! YUM!

2009-03-25T21:07:00.003-04:00

I love to read a great book, but rarely have the time without sacrificing sleep. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about… the kids are finally sound asleep after a normal day of chaos, the kitchen is clean, and you’re in bed for the evening, snug and warm, with your current read. You’re only going to read a “few” chapters and then turn out the light so you can get some rest. Only, mysteriously, hours have passed without your knowledge and you have gone from getting at least 8 hours of sleep to only getting 4.

Honestly, I think a great book is sometimes worthy of a few less hours of sleep, I just need to find the right book and the motivation to actually take the time to read it. So, I was thrilled when my dear friend Heather decided to start a small book club. I have always wanted to be a part of a book club ~ reading great books and then getting together with other readers to discuss our thoughts on the subject matter over coffee. It all seems so sophisticated… and, believe it or not, I do actually have deep thoughts and love to dig into a character (my English teachers would be so proud…).

So here, my friends, is my brief review of our first book ~ The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. I am no literary expert, so my apologies if this seems scattered.

The book was cleverly written as a series of letters between the main character, Juliet Ashton, and the residents of a small island off the coast of England (Guernsey) that was occupied by the German Army during World War II. The book begins post war in 1946. I found that I had to remind myself several times that this book was fiction as it is historically accurate. The characters were developed very well and seemed so real… I quickly fell in love with them and their quirky ways. I was captivated by their stories and how the German occupation impacted their lives. It is both humorous and touching. I LOVED this book and recommend it highly!

Madison's 9th Birthday

2009-03-23T21:58:00.026-04:00

My sweet little Maddie is growing up right before my eyes. It seems like just yesterday she was charming the world with her little baby cuteness, yet earlier this month we celebrated her 9th birthday. How quickly time passes. I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming ~ so kind, compassionate, smart, sensitive, loving, and full of life. She is truly a gift from God!

Here is the cake I made for Maddie's party. Ella loved "helping" me make the frosting and decorate the cake!

We celebrated Maddie's birthday with a party at a huge play center with blow up obstacle courses. The kids loved it! Here she is with a few of her friends.

Some more of Maddie's friends enjoying themselves. Below: Maddie celebrated her birthday along with her good friend, Nina (who happens to share the same birthday!)

Everyone had a great time! Thank you to all of our family & friends for helping to make Maddie's 9th birthday so special!

Our New Chore System

2009-03-16T17:40:00.011-04:00

I think I have Spring Fever. Not only do I long for open windows and long walks in the warm sun, but I have been de-cluttering my house like a mad woman. For those who know me, I am very organized (most of the time...) and I don't keep things around just because. It has to serve a purpose, be used, or be extremely sentimental. We move way too often to be hauling unnecessary items around! While on this crazy quest to de-clutter, I decided I needed to rethink our Chore Chart system for our girls.

We started many years ago using this typical chart:
Although I liked it, our lives are busy things vary from day to day. So, this is what I came up with this past week. They hang from our refrigerator where they can be seen and not ignored!

After the girls are in bed, I put their chores on their ribbons for the following day. Each day will be different depending on our schedule. For instance, some days Maddie will need to set & clear the dinner table, while others we may be eating out. I also included pictures so that Ella can "see" what she has to do until she learns to read. Once they complete a chore, they remove it from their ribbon and put it in a basket. Easy!

I only have two children, so this project was quick and easy. (For those of you with more than two children, check out my friend Heather's blog for another great chore system!)

1. Print out the child's initial on white cardstock and cut out a circle with decorative scissors.

2. Cut out a larger circle with a corresponding color of cardstock.

3. Sandwich a ribbon in between the two pieces of cardstock using double sided tape to secure.

4. Attach magnetic tape (magnet with adhesive on the back) to the back of the cardstock.

5. Print out "chores" on white cardstock, laminate, and cut out squares (I cut mine 1.5" x 1.5").

6. Hot glue "chores" to mini clothespins.

For Your Musical Enjoyment...

2009-02-23T17:02:00.004-05:00

Madison has always loved music, so I was so excited when she began piano lessons at age 6. I think music and the arts are a very important part of a child's development and education. I am amazed at how quickly she has learned and far she has come in the past 3 years. I'm very proud of her... can you tell? Anyway, since all of our family live in other states and have never been to one of her piano recitals, she decided to let me make a video. So... without further ado, here is Madison:

And because Ella can't be left out of anything:

Conscious Eating

2009-02-18T12:55:00.005-05:00

Many years ago I decided to become a vegetarian. I would like to say it was a life changing experience, but it only lasted one month. Even now as I type this I can't believe how quickly my motivation came and went... I guess I could blame said lack of motivation on those (who shall remain nameless) that made fun of me and told me I was crazy. I could even blame my dear family who still required meat at meals. But the truth is, I really like a great steak once in a while. So, then, why does becoming a vegetarian still intrigue me? What crazy mind games are going on inside this head of mine?!?!

But, Alas!!!! Today, as I was stalking a few blogs, I ran across this post by Mary Beth at Salt and Chocolate. Her post mentioned that one of my favorite cookbook authors, Mark Bittman, has a new book out! I was completely overjoyed (as I have a slight cookbook addiction) and immediately opened her link to this podcast. Here's a quick summary: he lives a vegan lifestyle all day and then eats whatever he wants for dinner (or "vegan 'til 6pm"). I realize that I just lost many of you, but for those of you who are still reading, this was a new concept to me and I am so excited to try it out! Not necessarily because I want to save the earth or throw red paint on fur coats, but because I need to add more veggies to my life and long to be healthier. I'm realize that the "vegan 'til 6pm" isn't a mind blowing concept and won't win the Nobel, but it has opened my eyes to options that I have never considered before.

So, to those of you who feel the need to make fun of my new found "vegan 'til 6pm" lifestyle, don't. And for those of you who are equally intrigued by this idea, you can get more info in Mark Bittman's new book Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating.

Recommendation For My Crafty Friends

2009-02-17T12:33:00.003-05:00

Hello, crafty friends of mine. I have been stalking Skip To My Lou for quite some time now and absolutely love it! Cindy, the creator of this wonderful site, has many free downloads and tutorials. I'm always adding something from her site to my project list of "things to do". Please take a second to check it out!

If you have any great crafty websites or blogs you would like to share, leave a comment! Happy Crafting!

Hello Blog!

2009-02-16T15:36:00.016-05:00

OK, OK... so I have been a little distracted and haven't blogged in quite a while. I always plan to blog and have some fabulously funny thoughts running through my head, but they never quite make it to my computer. I feel as though I owe my loyal readers (*cough*) an explanation, so here it goes:

The Top 10 Reasons I Have Been A Blog Slacker

10. One of me. Two of them. If you do the math you'll see that I am completely outnumbered. There's always something to do: read stories, help with crafts, explain homework, taxi to events, etc., etc.

9. Brownies. Not the yummy gooey dessert kind, but the little vest-wearing girl kind. I am co-leader of Maddie's troop and a very busy troop it is! Right now we are preparing for World Thinking Day and I have been working on making "swaps".

8. The Buttercup Quilt. I have completely finished hand-quilting this thing!!! (I feel like maybe you all should stand right now at your computers and give me a standing ovation...). All I need to do is put on the binding which, hopefully, will get completed before I start another quilt. Oh. Wait. Too late...

7. Maddie's Birthday Quilt. Because you can never be working on too many quilts at the same time, I decided to take on another project. I am making Maddie a new quilt in her favorite colors for her 9th birthday (which is approaching rather quickly!). As much as I want to hand quilt this thing, I have decided to machine quilt it so she can actually have it for her 9th birthday instead of her 10th.

6. Did I already mention that I am outnumbered?

5. Fabric. So Joann Fabrics decided to open a fabulous new store not far from my house and I am in sewing heaven! I'm pretty sure they already know who I am due to the fact that I have been there several times since they opened earlier this month. Anyway, the girls picked out fabric for their Easter dresses (and fabric for some spring/summer dresses). I am going to do my best not to start on any of the above mentioned dresses until the above mentioned quilts are finished. We'll see...

4. The "Mommy Looks Like She's Concentrating, So I'd Better Talk To Her" Rule. Without fail, my children who have ignored me all day, will need to talk to me when I am on the computer. In fact, at this moment, I am blogging while trying to undo a ginormous purple "yarn knot" for Ella who is telling me in detail why she needs this yarn un-knotted. This rule also applies to when the telephone rings.

3. Household Chores. I admit it ~ I'm pretty sure I have a mild case of OCD. Not crazy "straightening fringe on the rug" OCD, but "clutter drives me crazy and everything should be labeled and in it's place" OCD. Of course, having children has really helped relax my standards. I have worked really hard at letting things go so my girls can enjoy their home and not worry that mommy is going to go postal if they make a mess. Their happiness is more important to me than if the crayons are put in the proper plastic bin.

2. Laundry. I know you are probably thinking that this should be included under Household Chores, but I think it deserves its own place in my top 10. Just when I think I have finished all the laundry and there couldn't possibly be another dirty article of clothing in my house, I discover a hamper exploding with clothes. And no, my girls can't wear their clothes more than once before needing to be washed. If you know Ella, no explanation needs to be given. Let's just say that I always have a supply of stain remover on hand.

And the #1 reason I am a blog slacker.....

1. Facebook. Those of you with FB accounts know this is true. You log on with the intentions of just checking things out for a few minutes and then suddenly you realize 45 minutes have passed. By the time I am finished checking every body's status and writing on walls, I have no time or energy left for the blog. I know, it's sad.

Whirlwind Tour Of The Midwest, Part 1

2009-01-14T12:54:00.016-05:00

On December 19th we left the East Coast and began our "whirlwind tour of the midwest". We spent 15 days traveling through 8 states!! The girls remained in good spirits for most of the drive with the exception of Ella being car sick all the way through the mountains of West Virginia (she refused to wear her Sea Bands). Gotta love family trips.... Anyway, I'm going to split up my postings so that each entry isn't way too long. I'll also try to limit how many photos I add to keep from boring you.

Our first stop was in Indianapolis where we spent some time with dear Army friends, Scott & Kathleen and their three boys, Jacob, Matthew and Michael. My Michael (or Big Mike as the boys call him) was honored to be the MC at Jacob's Eagle Scout Ceremony. They have since moved to the mountains of Colorado where we hope to be able to visit very soon!

Wreaths Across America ~ Arlington National Cemetery

2008-12-17T13:41:00.010-05:00

Our family participated in Wreaths Across America on December 13th at Arlington National Cemetery. Volunteers helped place over 10,000 wreaths donated by the Worcester Wreath Company on the headstones of our nation's fallen heroes. It was cold, windy, and I think we all lost feeling in our toes within an hour of being there. However, it was an amazing oportunity to tell Madison a little about our World War II soldiers and what they had to endure ~ walking miles in the snow with wet socks and boots ~ fighting for our freedom and the freedom of those less fortunate. The gratitude I feel for our veterans makes me speechless. May we never forget those who fought for our nation or take for granted the freedom we have been given.

Visit With Santa

2008-12-08T17:01:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving

2008-12-08T16:04:00.004-05:00

I am finally taking a few moments to upload some photos from Thanksgiving (I have been so busy lately I'm not sure whether I am coming or going!). We are blessed to live very close to a dear friend of mine, Joyce, and her sweet family. I have known Joyce since 4th grade (so you don't have to do mental calculations, that is 28 years of friendship)! Together we experienced life in elementary school, junior high, high school, church youth group, and even college! How she put up with me this whole time I'll never know....

Anyway, we spent Thanksgiving with Mike & Joyce and their three children and had a wonderful time. We were also able to visit Williamsburg and Jamestown.... which, by the way, were incredible! I could go on and on, but due to limited time, I'll just stick to adding a slideshow of some pictures we took!

New Noteworthy Blog

2008-11-18T09:34:00.003-05:00

Photo courtesy Catching Pennies

If you get a second, check out Catching Pennies ~ there you'll find a true foodie feeding a family of 7 on a budget (and not just any family, an Army family!!!). Not only will you like the recipes, but her writing is quite humorous! I can't wait to try the recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!

Playing In The Leaves

2008-11-17T11:33:00.008-05:00

Michael and his friend Joe escaped to Baltimore for the weekend for a game tournament, so Sunday after church the girls and I spent time with our dear friends Nataliya (Joe's wife), Nina and Sophia. We met for lunch at Dixie Bones (which you absolutely must try if you are ever in the DC area) and then let the girls play in the leaves back at their house. Here's a few pictures compliments of Nataliya and her fabulous new camera.

Connie's Holiday Recommendations ~ Music

2008-11-14T10:53:00.019-05:00

Confession: I have been listening to Christmas music since September (you know how I love Autumn, but you haven't even begun to hear my love of Christmas....). The month of December is not nearly long enough to hear all the songs I love so much, so I just start early! Just for fun, I decided to share my love of the season with you by recommending some of my favorites. I would love for you to leave comments about what you recommend, too!!

Connie's Favorite Christmas Music

Casting Crowns ~ Peace On Earth

Simply amazing! I love Casting Crowns and this is my new favorite holiday CD.

Christmas Crooners

Technically, any crooner CD will do as long as it includes Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Mel Torme, Irving Berlin, Ella Fitzgerald..... you get the picture.

Jane Monheit ~ The Season

A little sultry Christmas jazz never hurt anyone!

Josh Groban ~ Noel

I do believe this man can sing anything... his voice is hypnotising!

Micheal W. Smith ~ It's A Wonderful Christmas

(Also recommend Christmas and Christmastime)

What can I say? I love Michael W. Smith!!

Johnny Mathis ~ Merry Christmas

This CD reminds me of my childhood!

A Simpler Life

2008-11-12T10:21:00.004-05:00

We love to spend time together as a family, but we make a special effort to dedicate Friday evenings as Family night. Recently we have begun to watch the "Little House On The Prairie" series and I am amazed at the teachable moments that we have with our girls! Madison has read Little House In The Big Woods, but who knew a TV show I loved as a girl would make such an impact and that she would look forward to each and every episode?! It is so refreshing to have my daughters exposed to a television show that reinforces the family values that Michael and I hold so dear ~ God and family. My girls are learning so much about life before the conveniences and gadgets of today.... when getting a "Christmas" penny was more than enough and brought such delight. The media may be focusing on our economic crisis and what we don't have, but I encourage you to instead focus on all of your blessings and have a spirit of thankfulness! Now.... go watch Little House with your kids....

Happy Election Day!

2008-11-04T08:09:00.003-05:00

PLEASE VOTE!

***************

Countless men and women have sacrificed much to give you this right ~ please don't take it for granted! And remember, no matter who wins this election, they need our support and prayers as they lead our nation!

Wishing You A....

2008-11-01T10:29:00.003-04:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!

Princess Ella & Maddie The Witch

(Ella is wearing a dress made for me by my Grandma in the mid 70's and

Maddie's costume I made a few weeks ago ~ she picked out the material & pattern)

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-20T22:12:00.016-04:00

October means many things for me ~ hot apple cider, long walks in the crisp Autumn air, crackling fires, sweaters, watching Sleepy Hollow, roasting pumpkin seeds, and a trip to the pumpkin patch. When I was growing up, our family went to Brown County, Indiana every Fall. We would browse the shops of quaint Nashville and takes hikes in Brown County State Park. If I close my eyes I can flip through a photo album of memories that bring a smile to my face and warm my heart. It is my deepest desire that my own girls have such memories of their childhood.

Saturday we went to Cox Farms with our friends Abram, Terri, Emily & Sarah. The experience was more amusement park than the pumpkin patches of my youth, but we really had a wonderful time and enjoyed the beautiful October weather. We went on the world's longest hayride (very cool!), drank apple cider, went down huge slides, fed some goats, found our way through a corn maze, and milked a cow (just to name a few activities)! Here are some photos of our day:

Fabulous Fall Cookie Recipe

2008-10-15T20:17:00.003-04:00

I can't wait to try this recipe from Picky Palate !!! It looks so easy and yummy! Please check out the website for some other fabulous recipes!

Pumpkin Spice Blossoms

1 Spice Cake Mix 18.25 oz
14 oz can Libby’s Pumkin
½ Cup sanding sugar
1 bag Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Kisses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer beat the cake mix and pumpkin until well combined, about 45 seconds. With a cookie scoop, scoop dough and roll top half in sanding sugar (dough is sticky) then place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until cooked through. Quickly transfer to a cooling rack and immediately press kisses into the center of each cookie. I immediately place cooling rack into the fridge for 15 minutes so the kisses don’t melt. I tried both ways and it melts down if just left at room temperature. Enjoy!
About 36 cookies

Update: I have everything I need to make these except the Hershey's Pumpkin Spice Kisses.... apparently living within driving distance of Hershey, PA doesn't mean anything!!!

Columbus Day in DC

2008-10-15T16:17:00.027-04:00

What better way to celebrate the finding of the New World than by visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History!? I can't really find a link between the two, but that's where we ended up on Monday anyway. The girls loved the dinosaurs (don't we all???) and Madison was fascinated by the Hope Diamond! What do you know... girls do have a gene that makes them attracted to expensive sparkles!

Before we left Michael gave Madison her own digital camera (his "Iraq" camera ~ the one that made it to and from the sandbox and, believe it or not, still works!). She was so excited and couldn't wait to take her very own pictures. She is in photographer heaven and has already been through 4 batteries. Anyway, here are some pictures (both from my camera and Maddie's).

For your amusement, here are some other photos taken by Madison on Monday:

Outdoor Adventures

2008-10-11T19:11:00.021-04:00

I am just now beginning to see touches of color on some of the trees in our area ~ a sure sign that in just a few weeks there will be a blanket of leaves on the ground. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am to see the brilliant colors this year! There is nothing quite like an Autumn "fireworks" display put on by nature. I missed this all so much when we lived in Kansas, where the colors aren't so brilliant on the plains!

This is our friend Chippie (named, of course, by the girls who name everything). He loves to stand on top of our wood pile and chirp to his friends.

Here are some photos from the past few days. Friday we visited the Headquarters of the American Horticultural Society ~ River Farm Gardens. It is on the banks of the Potomac River and quite beautiful with many gardens to peruse (and completely free!). Today we ate lunch at an outdoor cafe and then headed to one of many parks in the area. The girls loved walking along the river and learning how to throw a Frisbee.

Attention All Foodies!

2008-10-05T16:28:00.002-04:00

I added TasteSpotting to my sidebar under Food! a while back, but thought I would bring it to your attention because I love it so. Why so much love? Maybe it's the beautiful photos, maybe it's the yummy recipes (hello ~ Mocha Cappuccino Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins!). Whatever it is, I can't get enough!! There just aren't enough meals in the day to make all of the recipes I want to try! Anyway, enjoy!

Caramel Apples

2008-10-03T18:47:00.017-04:00

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~ George Elio

It has become a tradition in our house to do a fun project on Friday afternoons after Madison gets home from school. I guess it is kind of a way to celebrate the end of the school week.... we made it through homework, tests, and all the hustle and bustle of after school activities (and this has been a very busy week)! Sometimes Michael can join us, and we love it when he can, but other times it's just us girls. Today we made caramel apples ~ easy and fun with yummy results! We used the recipe right on the back of the Kraft Caramel Bits bag and rolled our apples in peanuts. I was temped to drizzle them with chocolate, but decided against it. Now I'm not sure why. The more I think about it, the more drizzled chocolate caramel apples dances in my head. Chocolate makes everything taste better!!

Happy October!

2008-10-01T11:03:00.011-04:00

I could blog about a billion different Autumn thoughts and memories today as I am feeling rather nostalgic, but I'll just stick to a project and recipe. First, the recipe, which you absolutely must make sometime this month. We always have it several times in the Fall, but always while carving our pumpkins for Halloween. It is soooo good and my family can't get enough!

Caramel Apple Cider

1/2 c. heavy whipping cream

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

6 c. fresh apple cider

whipped cream for serving - optional

-------------------------------------------

Place the cream and sugar in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Stir in cinnamon and cider. Heat through until cider begins to steam. Serve hot with a dollop of whipped cream. (You could probably double or triple the batch and keep warm in a slow cooker on low/warm for a party).

Now for the project. This cute little pumpkin light was made by my dad ~ he is the best at woodworking and makes the most amazing things! Excuse my directions ~ I'm sure they aren't the best, but hopefully you will get the idea.

Jack-O-Lantern Jar

Supplies:

Lamp Light Kit (includes cord, socket w/ spring clip, switch, and bulb)

Metal cutting shears (and gloves to protect your hands!)

Quart canning jar with lid (seal & ring)

Orange spray paint (suitable for glass)

Black paint (suitable for glass)

Small craft paint brush

Raffia

Spray the inside of the canning jar with the orange spray paint. Allow to dry completely. Using the black paint & brush, paint a jack-o-lantern face on the outside of the jar. Allow to dry completely. Using the metal shears, cut a hole the size of a quarter in the seal for the lid. Make sure to wear safety gloves so you don't cut you hands on the metal! Place the seal on the jar and secure with the ring. Tie a raffia bow around the ring (you can secure this with hot glue if you wish). Place the socket w/ spring clip into the hole in the lid. The spring clip will keep it on the lid. Plug in and turn on! You're finished!

First Fall Friday

2008-09-26T17:29:00.012-04:00

We happily celebrated the official changing of seasons on Monday with cooler weather and homemade soup. The AC has been turned off and the windows opened for over a week! I love this time of year! (I know, I know.... I've already said that hundreds of times...).

Today after Maddie came home from school we made sugar cookies in the shapes of leaves, pumpkins, and apples. The girls loved rolling out the dough, cutting out the cookies, and decorating them with sugar without any adult help! I think their favorite part, though, was picking up the extra sugar and eating it!

Tomorrow we are heading to a Fall Festival/Craft Fair and then back home for homemade Caramel Apple Cider (check back... I'll post the recipe this weekend!).

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2008-09-21T15:24:00.004-04:00

I love this time of year! The weather is getting cooler which means warm apple cider, trips to the pumpkin patch, falling leaves, and Sunday afternoon football! I couldn't resist taking a picture of our little family of cheeseheads watching the game today (I made Micheal the Packers throw blanket for his birthday a few weeks ago). I have lots of other thoughts to blog about, but I'll save them for another day and enjoy the time I have with my family. Happy Sunday! GO PACKERS! GO COLTS!

T.G.I.F.

2008-09-12T17:44:00.006-04:00

I feel that I am a rather positive, strong and independent individual. So the fact that I am counting down the hours and minutes until we get to pick up Michael from the airport should tell you how things have gone this week (2 hours, 25 minutes, and 46 seconds). He has been TDY this week (temporary duty) and usually we girls handle his absence relatively well as we have done it so often. This week, however, has seemed very hectic and I haven't slept well at all. Military wives usually joke that if something is going to go wrong it will happen the day after your husband goes TDY or deploys. Let's see.... this week my computer went completely haywire, Ella has cried in her sleep several nights for "Daddy to come back", I burned my hand with boiling water (not serious, but hurt like heck), and I locked myself out of my house.... with no spare key to be found. I'll spare you the details, but I did manage to get back into the house after what I am sure was assistance from God who was feeling sorry for me.

Side note: I just took a break from blogging to mop my entire top floor ~ Ella decided to sprinkle the house with milk from her cup. The ENTIRE top floor.

Anyway, the week is now finally over and I will soon be able to hand over the reigns and take a deep breath. I feel it necessary to include a picture I took of Ella a few days ago with her hair in what she calls "pinky tails". I need to remind myself of how adorable she is after the above mentioned milk incident.

Crazy Quilting Lady

2008-09-10T13:26:00.006-04:00

My computer has been having issues for several days. Due to these issues and the fact that I have zero computer "fix it" knowledge, I haven't been able to get online since Friday evening! I can't believe how dependent I am on cyberspace ~ probably too dependent. Anyway, after threatening to toss the entire system into the back yard and let the squirrels have their way with it, I figured out how to do a "system restore" which has fixed the problem. However, because of my limited computer knowledge, I may have, in fact, caused other issues which I am totally unaware of at this point. ~sigh~

Thanks to the lack of internet, I have been doing a lot of hand quilting this week. I have made great progress on my Buttercup quilt and think I can actually have it finished by next weekend! I also finished an Autumn table runner for my mom. I have a quilt in progress that matches, but, let's be honest, I won't actually finish it in time and will have to give it to her next year. I have also been going through all of my quilting patterns and getting the urge to begin another quilt. I really must figure out the machine quilting thing and get better at it so I can get quilts finished in a reasonable amount of time.

All this quilting and the drop in temperature (along with the scent of an Autumn Spice candle floating in my house) have put me in the Fall spirit.... so, of course, I took down my five-stripe quilt and hung my leaf quilt in its place. I can hear the pumpkins and scarecrows calling from their storage containers. Now all I need is a hand-full of candy corns and I would be so very happy!

Hand quilted Autumn Leaf quilt

Back To School!

2008-09-03T20:47:00.003-04:00

It's hard to believe that summer is officially over and school is back in session! I am excited because that means that Autumn is just around the corner ~ my very favorite time of year! I am trying my best to refrain from hanging up my Fall quilt and putting out pumpkin and scarecrow decorations... but it is soooo hard! Give me one cool day and it's all over! Anyway, I sent Madison off to 3rd grade on Tuesday. She loves her teacher and has made many new friends in just a few short days. I am excited that she enjoys school and looks forward to going each morning!

Superwoman I Am Not

2008-08-30T08:00:00.002-04:00

I was recently asked the question, "How do you do it all?"... obviously I need to fill you all in on a little secret: I only post the projects that are finished, not the dozens that have been in the works for way too long. Here is what you don't see in a post:

I am a perfectionist, so each project gets much thought and planning before I begin.
I am perpetually behind on returning emails and phone calls. Sometimes months behind. Somehow my dear friends and family still like me (or at least they pretend to like me)!
I always have about six dozen project ideas in my head at a given time.
I have had an Army Star quilt cut out, but the blocks not put together, for close to one year. I can't get myself to start it when I have two unfinished quilts (see below).
My Civil War quilt is over four years in the making ~ finally pieced, but not yet layered.
I have been hand quilting a Buttercup quilt (originally for Maddie, now for Ella) for over three years.... maybe even four now that I think about it.
I have a Summer skirt I made for myself back in May that is still without a zipper, waistband, and hem.
The girl's scrapbooks haven't been updated since last Easter.
I still have "quilted" Christmas ornaments to make for my tree... I wanted them to be done last Christmas.
Have I mentioned I want to learn to knit?
I know I am a stay at home mom, but I never feel like I get enough quality time with my two sweet girls.
The list of books that I want to read keeps growing, but my reading time keeps shrinking.

That is all for now. I'm off to make thank you cards and peach butter.

Cookbook Recommendation

2008-08-27T17:01:00.003-04:00

Today I made Apricot Oatmeal Bars for my Grandpa B who is celebrating his 91st birthday tomorrow. Fortunately, they travel well (thanks to my FoodSaver) and will arrive fresh within a few days. The recipe I used comes from this fabulous cookbook from Williams-Sonoma ~ The Kid's Cookbook. I love that each recipe has a picture, the instructions are easy to follow, and the ingredients are things you would normally have on hand.

Ella Turns 3!

2008-08-26T09:20:00.020-04:00

Our fun-loving little Ella isn't so little anymore..... I tried to figure out how to keep her from getting older, but life moved ahead anyway and we celebrated her 3rd birthday this past weekend. I found myself smiling as I reflected on the past three years and looked at old photos. Ella really is full of life and makes the most of every minute. I am so thankful for our sweet little girls and every precious moment we have as a family! Happy Birthday Ella!

Chalk + Water

2008-08-20T18:30:00.010-04:00

Today the weather was perfect ~ I even turned off the AC and opened all the windows. To celebrate the low humidity and not-to-hot temperature, the girls and I skipped the pool and played outside in the yard. They started off innocently coloring on the porch with chalk, but somewhere along the line water became involved. Images of Braveheart and Violet Beauregarde kept coming to mind....

Family Reunion

2008-08-17T17:17:00.004-04:00

This weekend our little family of travelers found ourselves in New York for a family reunion (Michael's side of the family). I, once again, fell in love with New York and completely understand why people buy those "I heart NY" t-shirts. I so need one. Anyway, we just loved spending time with family and had a wonderful weekend... it really ended way too soon! Madison made fast friends with her cousin, Sophia, and a dog named Sam. Once again I took way too many photos, so here is yet another slide show. By the way, thank you Aunt Nancy & Uncle Bill for planning everything!

Another Project To Help Me Procrastinate

2008-08-15T10:25:00.013-04:00

I whipped up this cute little bag up in less than an hour yesterday afternoon. It is for my niece, who happens to be turning 12 very soon. Madison helped model it for me!

Relaxing In Savannah

2008-08-15T09:25:00.003-04:00

Michael's sister, Dayna, joined our family for a trip to Savannah after Allan & Tiffany's wedding. Traveling with our family usually proves to be interesting... I was a little worried that Dayna might be driven to the edge of insanity. However; she didn't run away screaming, my girls behaved rather well, and we all had a wonderful time together! Just so you know, we always have a great time with Dayna... she is the best and we love spending time with her and Chris! -sniff- I wish we lived closer.

Here's a recap: We got to the hotel I reserved online ~ The Clubhouse Inn & Suites. I admit it... I am a hotel snob and believe that cleanliness and safety are a priority. A free breakfast is also a bonus, but not a necessity. Anyway, I had a bit of a sinking feeling when we pulled up and there was a pawn shop and check cashing joint just outside of the hotel. Fast forward... the rooms were dark (no doubt to hide the dirt), the carpet was damp in one corner of the room (???), the shower looked a bit moldy (I couldn't really tell due to the 20 watt light bulb in the bathroom), and there was a man wearing his "tighty whities" to swim in the pool right outside our sliding glass doors. The final straw was Michael finding hair on the bottom of Ella's feet that weren't any of ours. GROSS! After less than an hour in the room, we loaded up our things and Michael marched down to the front desk. We received a full refund and found our way to a fabulous hotel in Historic Savannah called Four Points By Sheraton. FABULOUS! We will definitely stay here in the future and recommend it to anyone who asks.

While in Savannah, we ate at The Crab Shack (YUMMY!) on Tybee Island, went to the top of the Tybee Island Lighthouse, played at the beach, ate more seafood than you can begin to imagine, toured the Juliette Gordon Lowe house (she's the founder of the Girls Scouts), went on a evening carriage ride, swam in the hotel rooftop pool, ate some more seafood, shopped, walked cobblestone streets, and had a ton of fun!!

Allan & Tiffany's Wedding

2008-08-14T21:29:00.004-04:00

Michael's brother, Allan, got married this past weekend. The wedding was wonderful and we are so excited to welcome Tiffany into our family! Michael was the best man and I was honored to be a bridesmaid. We had such a fun time! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Dayna, for most of the fabulous photos in the slideshow. Enjoy!

Attention Parents With Children Suffering From Motion Sickness

2008-08-13T16:19:00.007-04:00

Madison has had motion sickness since the day she was born. Of course, it took us countless trips complete with vomiting for the first 3 years of her life to figure this out. No movie watching. No reading. No coloring. No counting red cars. Just sitting, and even then, there would always be an "incident". I became quite the expert at disassembling her car seat so that it could be washed and always kept a supply of carpet cleaner on hand. I know... way too much info... but you have to understand the extent of the motion sickness to really appreciate what I am about to tell you.

I began using chewable motion sickness tablets by cutting them in half and then grinding them up and hiding the powder in apple juice or peanut butter (they really taste quite terrible). This worked about 60% of the time, leaving me somewhat satisfied but looking for a better option. Then, just a few weeks ago, a lady at church told me about Sea-Bands. I have to say I was a bit sceptical, but ordered them out of desperation as we were preparing for a 12 hour car trip. The results? Not only did my child go the entire trip without getting sick, she actually ate snacks and meals!!!! And she colored!!!!!!!! People, I am in love with Sea-Bands! I will happily endorse them and give the company free advertising because their product actually works! If you have children with motion sickness, you absolutely, without a doubt, should buy this product. And, just so you know, they make them for adults, as well.

OK, enough product endorsement, back to blogging....

I just can't stop!

2008-08-05T15:54:00.002-04:00

I am supposed to be packing for a trip. Instead I made two valances and three throw pillows for my bedroom. I used the Put A Zipper In Your Pillow Tutorial from House On Hill Road and was able to make the pillows in less than two hours ~ zippers and all! Hmmmm.... I wonder what else I can sew to keep from packing....

Put down the fabric, and slowly back away from the sewing machine....

2008-08-03T15:02:00.006-04:00

OK, so I can't stop sewing. Here are the girls (and Molly) in their new dresses. Madison picked out the fabric, which I love, because it is pink and flowery (is that a word?). I am all about bright colors right now.

A Dress For Molly

2008-07-29T17:25:00.025-04:00

Yesterday afternoon I got the sewing bug and decided to make a dress for Madison's American Girl doll. She picked out the fabric and I traced out a pattern using freezer paper. I warned her that it might not fit, but after just an hour of work (including pattern making), the dress was finished and fit wonderfully! I used a technique my friend Denise taught me for making a reversible jumper (I use it often to make dresses for the girls).

The great thing about this dress is its versatility. You can add a bow or a belt, make it shorter, put a shirt underneath, add an applique to the front (wouldn't it be cute with a little butterfly?), or even put a ruffle along the bottom. I may be making these for gifts for the little girls in my life....

To make reversible jumpers for my girls, I use Simplicity 6695. To make a doll dress, you'll have to sketch out your own pattern until I can figure out how to put my own on this post. I hope these instructions make sense!

AFTER STEP 6 ~ Don't forget to cut along the curves of the neckline and arm holes! Clip in 1/2" intervals from the edge of the fabric to the seam without cutting through the thread!

Our Weekend Getaway

2008-07-27T15:20:00.032-04:00

This weekend we escaped our normal routine and headed to Rocky Gap Resort in Maryland. It was wonderful to relax, enjoy the fresh air, and become one with nature. No traffic. No lines. No sour faces. Can it get any better than that?

The girls loved to feed the ducks and had a great time wading in the water.

How gorgeous is this?!

Below is the view from our room... why don't we have a view like this at home?

The girls, like all children, could have played in the pool the entire time and been completely happy. Below is a picture of "Goggle Girl"....

Above you see Madison, the First Mate of our paddle boat. And our trip on the lake wouldn't have been the same without Captain Mike. Below is the Deck Hand, Ella. I was the photographer.... the reason I am never in any pictures.

And last, but not least, was roasting marshmallows over the open fire. It is very important to end a day by the lake with roasted marshmallows (and a few mosquito bites....)!

Time Warp

2008-07-24T14:58:00.005-04:00

I recently became made aware of the fact that my 20 year high school reunion is quickly approaching. T-W-E-N-T-Y. I actually had to stop and do some mental calculations because I was sure it couldn't possibly have been that long ago.... but alas! It was! How is it that when I was in high school people my current age seemed so old, but now that I am here, it doesn't seem that old at all!? Anyway, here are some things that bring back many memories from my youth:

~ Friday Night Videos! ~ The California Raisins ~ StarSearch ~ Jelly Shoes ~ Jelly Bracelets ~ Ghostbusters ~ The Goonies ~ Family Ties ~ The Cosby Show ~ mall hair with tons of hair spray ~ banana clips ~ tight rolled jeans ~ The Muppets ~ Nancy Drew ~ "Wax on, Wax off." ~ Back to the Future ~ Sixteen Candles ~ big hoop earrings ~ large shirts with large belts and spandex pants ~ neon colored clothing ~ break dancing ~ E.T. ~ ATARI ~ "Ice Ice Baby" ~ Fresh Prince of Belair ~ cassette tapes ~ Saturday morning cartoons ~ Mork & Mindy ~ Captain Caveman ~ Swatch Watch ~ layering multi-colored slouch socks ~ "Debbie" Gibson ~ Bruce Springsteen ~ Richard Marx ~ Trans Am ~ mood lip gloss ~ Indiana Jones ~ Star Wars ~ "Gag me with a spoon!" ~ who shot J.R.? ~ roller skating at the roller rink ~ Alf ~ the Coreys ~ "Where's the beef!?" ~ Merlin ~ Simon ~ and more I can't even remember!

And finally, the real reason you are still actually reading this post:

A Trip To The Zoo

2008-07-19T20:15:00.023-04:00

This morning we went to visit the Reston Zoo with some good friends of ours. It was the perfect size for a hot day and very "hands on" (it reminded me quite a bit of the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan for all of my Kansas friends... minus the prairie dogs running amuck, of course!). The animals weren't quite as exotic as what you would find at the National Zoo in D.C. (unless you are city folk and consider goats exotic...), but the kids had a great time anyway and even got to ride a pony!

To the right is my friend Nataliya with her little one, Sophia. Below is a picture of Madison and Nina feeding the goats.

Here are some pictures from the wagon ride through the "prairie". Please take notice of the "human habitats" in the background of the photo of Madison and Nina. The zoo is literally in the middle of a housing addition and many of the houses butt right up to the boundary line! Cracked me up! Below Madison is feeding a camel.

Ella was enjoying the wagon ride quite a bit until a bison came up to say hello. She jumped out of her seat faster than lightening and was in Daddy's lap and refused to move!

Happy Birthday Alexandria!

2008-07-14T10:21:00.005-04:00

This weekend I went with the ladies of my church to the Women of Faith Conference in Washington D.C. leaving Michael and the girls on their own for 24 hours. The conference was great and I came home to find that the house was still standing, nothing had been destroyed, toys had been picked up, and everyone was happy.

Saturday evening we took the girls to Historic Old Town Alexandria for their birthday celebration. The area was filled with families and friends picnicing and playing games, but wasn't so overwhelmed with people that you felt closed in. We enjoyed listening to the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, eating birthday cake, and watching fireworks over the Potomac River. We will most definitely go back next year!

If Only There Were More Hours In A Day...

2008-07-11T09:16:00.004-04:00

What you see here is progress on my Civil War Quilt ~ 20 completed blocks, thank you very much!! I only have 5 more blocks to go and then I can begin to piece the top together. I'm so excited! After that, I plan to hand quilt the entire thing (gulp). I had hoped to finish it by the Fall, but realistically, it will take me until the end of the year and possibly into Spring to get this thing done. If I only had more uninterrupted time in my day... I could easily get lost in quilting for hours and hours as I love it so much, but my sweet girls require basic needs such as food and of course a little TLC, so I guess I'll take what time I can get and be thankful!

A Visit From Friends

2008-07-09T08:38:00.005-04:00

On July 4th, our family was blessed to have our friends from India visit for the day. Ella took on quite the unusual attitude of shyness and hid her face from Preet and his daughter, Bani, (see photo for "shy" Ella) for over an hour! She did eventually warm up to them, thank goodness, and we had a wonderful visit.

Our family was introduced to Indian food for the first time that evening at a local Indian restaurant. I have always thought our family to be very cultured and open to new things, but now I am not quite so sure... Madison was very brave and never complained once, but ended up only eating rice. Ella picked up and took a bite out of a "papdum" (very spicy cracker) before I could stop her. Needless to say, the entire restaurant was staring at our table as she yelled at the top of her lungs and spit the cracker out wherever she could (ie. tablecloth, floor, cup of water, napkin, my plate...). The waiter felt sorry for her and brought her a mixture of mango and yogurt which she drank up quickly. After that, I couldn't get her to eat anything. Michael loved the food, but I have a feeling he will have to wait until our friends visit again before he gets anyone to go with him.

Tuesday Morning Farmer's Market

2008-07-01T10:56:00.006-04:00

My Grandma & Grandpa B always had a big garden in their back yard filled with wonderful vegetables that they would lovingly tend. Their veggies always turned out huge, due, I'm sure, to Grandpa's compost. Although their garden was great, it wasn't big enough to grow the amount of veggies they needed to "put things up" for the winter. They would often take my sister and I to local farms to pick fruits and veggies by the basketful. It was in their garage I learned the art of canning ~ a tradition I still love to this day. My Grandma's recipe for relish can't be outdone, and everyone in the family joked that it disappeared so quickly that people must be eating it as a side dish!

That said, I want to carry on the tradition with my girls. I want them to experience the fun of picking your own vegetables and fruits.... and yes, I want to teach them to can. They need to taste the difference. Fruits and vegetables fresh from the soil taste amazing, like nothing you would ever be able to purchase from a store. Thankfully, we have several "you-pick" farms within driving distance that I am determined to visit several times this year. Click here to find a "You Pick" farm near you!

Today we skipped the picking it ourselves option and went to the local farmer's market. Madison absolutely loved it! She and Ella sampled all sorts of fresh berries and had fun choosing what we would take home. We ended up with blueberries, green beans, tomatoes, carrots, a loaf of sourdough bread, and several cuts of grass-fed beef. We will make some fresh muffins with the blueberries and freeze the rest (my Food Saver is my best friend!). Tonight for dinner it's steamed beans and carrots... and I can't wait!

Saturday in Del Ray

2008-06-30T11:34:00.006-04:00

Saturday morning we packed up the girls and headed to a great little neighborhood in Alexandria called Del Ray. It is filled with charming little boutiques, specialty shops, restaurants and a farmer's market (Saturday mornings through the beginning of December). The Music Festival that drew us there in the first place was very small, but everyone seemed to be enjoying it. We spent most of our time walking around and looking in the shops, my favorite being "Eight Hands Round". This place offers quite an array of antiques as well as new items. I'm pretty sure you could find a great and unique gift for anyone you know in that place.

And I can't review Del Ray without mentioning food. I found my favorite new coffee shop ~ "St. Elmo's Coffee Pub". It offers lots of seating (inside and out) with great coffee, yummy food (breakfast items, sweets, and lunch items), and art for purchase on the walls. I would be there every Saturday morning if I lived closer! Anyway, besides coffee, we took the girls for frozen custard at "The Dairy Godmother". It was great and very refreshing on a hot Saturday. Also worth mentioning is a great cheese shop called "Cheesetique" with more cheeses than you can begin to imagine and a butcher shop called "Let's Meat On The Avenue". Stop by those two places and the farmer's market and you've got yourself a great array of food to serve for dinner!

We'll definitely return to Del Ray as I'm sure I'll be craving St. Elmo's coffee. Already on our calendar is the Art Fair in October!

As a side note, we returned to Del Ray this evening for dinner. We dined at a fabulous Italian restaurant on Mt. Vernon Avenue called La Strada. It was a little pricey, but the food was delicious! We will absolutely go back and recommend it to friends!

Library Tote Bag

2008-06-30T11:26:00.006-04:00

I made this 15-inch square bag for Madison Saturday afternoon so that she can carry all of her borrowed books to and from the library. I used a flowered denim fabric for the outside and a pink gingham fabric for the liner. I sewed several button holes along the top edge and then "wove" pink ribbon through them, tying the ends in a bow.

No Time For Boredom!

2008-06-28T08:22:00.005-04:00

So far this summer Madison has been very busy! The weekend after we returned from New York, she hosted her very first sleep-over! Eleven girls came for the Friday evening event, and eight stayed overnight! It was a huge success and Madison had a great time. (I'll have to blog one day about my tips for a successful sleep-over ~ the girls really had so much fun!)

Then, this week, Madison went to Girl Scout Day Camp. She learned new songs, made tons of great crafts, met new friends, and came home each day with lots of stories! She earned 11 Brownie Try-Its and several patches this week alone! That should tell you how busy they were!

Also this week we went to our local public library. Madison almost fainted when she found out she could check out fifty books at a time and didn't have to return them for three weeks! The girl is in book heaven! I had to quickly make a rule that she can only check out the number of books that she can carry herself as she loves to read and would easily meet her quota each trip! To top off her love of the library, I let her get her very own library card. It is so much fun to see her get excited about books!

Other events coming up for Madison are swim lessons for the month of July, a trip to Georgia for Uncle Allan's wedding, and a family reunion in New York. Somewhere in between we'll find time to make some crafts, visit a few museums, and so see our good friends near Virginia Beach. Today we are off to a Music Festival in the lovely neighborhood of Del Ray. I'll give my reviews and post some pictures of our day once we return.

Kitchen Tips

2008-06-21T13:34:00.009-04:00

I am by no means "Heloise", but I have found these few tips to be very helpful in my kitchen. Make fun if you will, but you're life will be easier!

I love my spice cabinet! I use a black permanent marker to write the contents of the spice container on the bottom. If they are standing up, you have to take everything out to find what you need, so I lay them on their side ~ they take up less room and are easy to get to.

Celery always goes bad in my house before I get a chance to use it. I have tried everything, from special containers to soaking them in water. Nothing works for me but this! Wash and trim the celery, then wrap it in aluminum foil. It keeps for weeks!

She's The Dancing Queen

2008-06-19T17:49:00.002-04:00

Ella spent most of her day figuring out how to drive me insane... coloring on a wall and table, sneaking off with a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, and flushing one of Maddie's "important" Webkinz tags down the toilet (just to name a few). I was close to duct-taping her to a wall when I caught her dancing... I think she even tries a few old school break dancing moves. She is not allowed to stand on furniture, just so you know, but after everything else today, I found this very cute and it made me laugh. Note to self: no more sugar for Ella.

Trip To New York

2008-06-18T09:06:00.007-04:00

We started off our summer vacation with a great trip to New York to visit family. It was wonderful to visit with relatives we haven't seen in years... and for Madison and Ella to meet some for the very first time! Madison didn't want to leave and is already planning a longer visit in the future... by herself... at Grandpa & Grandma's! Here are a few photos from our trip:

Here we are on Grandpa & Grandma's front porch - our favorite hang out!

Erin & Dan

Uncle Bill & Michael

Ella loves Aunt Nancy!!

Madison helps Grandma plant flowers

Grandpa & Grandma

Madison made fast friends with Erin and Ike the dog!

Josh & Michael playing a game of horse-shoes

Ella had fun entertaining Grandma!

Grandma & Michael

Michael and the girls with Jannie

Madison & Grandma

Madison: The Author & Illustrator

2008-06-11T19:22:00.006-04:00

Every student in Madison's class had the opportunity to write and illustrate their own story and then present them in a special reading to the parents. Most of the stories were fictional and funny, but Madison's was more serious and straight forward. She did a wonderful job and I absolutely love her cat illustration! I should have captured the moment on video, but still photos will have to do. I think she's trying to tell me something.... see what you think. Her story is below.

My Favorite Animal

By Madison Taylor

My favorite animal is a cat. A cat has whiskers. A cat also has a tail. Cats can be orange, black, gray, white, and tan. Cats are mammals. Cats are warm-blooded. I like cats a lot. Cats are the best. I wish I could have a pet cat. I like cats!

The Only Thing To Do After It Rains

2008-06-10T11:53:00.002-04:00

We have a puddle of water that forms in front of our flower bed every time it rains. For those that know Ella, it won't surprise you that it took her no time at all to discover it! It took her even less time to realize that there is great mud under all that water!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game....

2008-06-02T08:16:00.003-04:00

Yesterday afternoon was spent with friends at the Potomac Nationals baseball game. The girls had a great time watching the first inning, but then lost interest and had more fun playing with their new friends, Nina and Sophia! Good thing we came prepared with crayons and paper!! Michael was a little disappointed that they didn't have a "hotdog canon" to launch hotdogs into the stands, but we enjoyed the hotdogs just the same.

Memorial Day At Arlington National Cemetery

2008-05-26T16:34:00.005-04:00

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them . .
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them!
~ Lawrence Binyon

National Geographic.... Suburban Style

2008-05-23T10:40:00.004-04:00

I love nature. Not enough to move to a cabin in the the middle of nowhere permanently as I have this strange need to be around people and things, but I love it none-the-less. Anyway, these are the things I learned today on my suburban style nature walk next to the river:

A bald eagle soaring over the water takes my breath away... and makes me grab my cell phone to call my mom because she will truly appreciate what I am seeing.

Turtles sunning themselves on logs make Ella laugh.

Groundhogs are the cutest when they are living along the river bank and not in your yard.

Cardinals are my favorite bird.

I slow down and breath deeper when walking by honeysuckle.

Tulip trees have flowers. I know, I know. I grew up in Indiana where the Tulip Tree happens to be the state tree. We actually had a Tulip Tree in our yard at my childhood home; however, I never remember it having flowers.

Ahhhhh.... there is nothing quite like a great walk on a beautiful morning to lift your spirits and remind you that God's creation is magnificent. Everything is so unique and every detail perfectly set in place. Life is amazing.

Recipe Of The Week ~ Indoor Smores

2008-05-21T19:37:00.004-04:00

I just made these for Maddie's last Brownie troop meeting and they were a big hit! Be prepared to give out the recipe!

Indoor Smores

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 box graham crackers, each cracker sheet halved crosswise

Put chocolate chips into a large saucepan with condensed milk. Stir constantly over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in marshmallows. Put 2 tablespoons of mixture on a graham cracker half and top with another graham cracker half. Continue with remaining mixture and graham crackers. Let stand until set, about 2 hours. Store covered at room temperature.

Air Show At Andrews Air Force Base

2008-05-18T16:22:00.007-04:00

One of the best things about being so close to everything is that you can take off for a day of fun and be home in time for dinner. Friday evening, after consulting the weatherman, we decided that we would take the girls to the Joint Services Open House at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Saturday. I can't even begin to tell you how much fun we had as a family! I was a little concerned that the girls would quickly get tired of all the "airplanes" and walking so much, but ended up being pleasently surprised ~ not one complaint! They absolutely loved watching the airshow, and after seeing the Blue Angels, Maddie declared that she wants to be a fighter pilot (go girl!).

Cake Decorating 101

2008-05-16T20:37:00.006-04:00

The girls had a great time this afternoon decorating their very own cakes with leftover frosting. Madison took great care to make everything just right and was very proud of her work. I'm not sure if Ella spent more time taste-testing or decorating!

Another Great Use For Peanut Butter...

2008-05-13T14:17:00.003-04:00

Once I figured out what Ella was saying, I couldn't stop laughing! She must have a fabulous memory of how Daddy looked when he went to Iraq.

Another Year Wiser...

2008-05-08T20:10:00.001-04:00

Recipe Of The Week ~ Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

2008-05-05T18:58:00.005-04:00

If you love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, this recipe is for you! It is so easy and yummy! I have no idea where this recipe came from originally, but kudos to whoever came up with it!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

2 sticks butter, melted
2 c. graham cracker crumbs
3 c. powdered sugar
1 c. peanut butter
12 oz. package chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips. Press into a 9x13-inch pan. Melt chocolate chips in microwave for 60-90 seconds; stir until smooth. Pour over graham cracker mixture and let cool in refrigerator. Cut into bars once chocolate has set.

Photo Magnets

2008-05-01T17:12:00.006-04:00

I decided to be a little more creative with my gift-giving, so I made these cute little magnets for the "grandmas" for Mother's Day. They are quick, easy, and require very few supplies!

Here's what you need:

Some great photos shrunk down to 3/4" squares

5/8" circle punch

Clear 3/4" accent marbles that are flat on one side (usually found by the silk flowers)

Regular super glue

3/4" round magnets

Hot glue gun or other craft glue

Step 1 ~ Print photos and cut out with your circle punch

Step 2 ~ Apply two drops of super glue to the top of the picture. Place flat side of marble on top of picture and press for 3 seconds. Flip marble over.

Step 3 ~ When super glue is dry, apply magnets using hot glue gun or craft glue.

Hide & Seek

2008-04-29T19:08:00.006-04:00

"Hide & Seek" is a very popular game at our house. Madison is actually very good at hiding now, but I remember a time when she would put a blanket over her head and sit on the couch and wait patiently for Michael and I to find her. It was so funny to see! Now Ella is in that stage and making us laugh just as much!! Here is a picture of her hiding in her favorite place behind the quilt.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

2008-04-16T12:31:00.008-04:00

I have been wanting to make my own vanilla for a very long time now, I was just looking for the right bottle. I know, sounds crazy, but I want it to look good as well as taste good! Anyway, I finally found a fabulous bottle at Target perfect for my vanilla venture! According to The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten, my homemade vanilla will keep for years and years, I just need to feed the "brew" by adding more vanilla beans and vodka when it starts getting low. I am so excited and can't wait to bake my first batch of whatever with my vanilla!

Recipe for Homemade Vanilla Extract

Tall glass bottle (with lid that seals completely)

One dozen vanilla beans

Vodka (I used Grey Goose, but you can use anything)

Make sure your bottle is clean and dry. Split vanilla beans lengthwise and place inside the glass bottle. Pour vodka into the bottle making sure all beans are completely covered. Store the bottle out of direct light and away from heat. Let the beans marinate in the vodka for at least one month before using. The extract will become more flavorful the longer it marinates.

My Grandma

2008-03-31T21:38:00.004-04:00

Today I was missing my Grandma B and reminiscing about my childhood. My Grandma was a wonderful seamstress and worked magic with fabric and thread. She patiently taught me to sew at a very young age.... I remember making little purses and dresses for my dolls. Now I love to sew, though mostly quilts and some dresses for the girls. But today, after aching to talk to Grandma, I went out and purchased three patterns for myself. I have to say, I am so excited to begin my new venture! I hope to be able to post a finished piece soon, so check back!

Here are some photos of Ella wearing a Holly Hobby style dress my Grandma made for me when I was a little girl.

The Cherry Blossoms Are Blooming!

2008-03-29T17:48:00.006-04:00

Today the girls rode the Metro for the first time as we ventured into DC for the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the Smithsonian Kite Festival. They both loved the ride and Madison declared that we must always take the Metro from now on. I guess we are raising some city girls! Anyway, the cherry trees were such an amazing site! They are truly beautiful and add a remarkable backdrop to the monuments. Here are a few pictures from our day!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T16:36:00.004-04:00

The eggs have all been colored (complete with a blue dye stain on our table as proof thanks to Ella....), the baskets have been emptied, and the plastic eggs have all been found. Right now the girls are watching 101 Dalmations and slowly coming down from their jelly bean induced sugar high. We have had a busy Easter weekend filled with lots of fun activities!! But more important than the chocolate bunnies and colored eggs, we are together as a family this year, celebrating one of the most important days in history. I feel very blessed and am thankful!

Matthew 28: 5-6 5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

(Here is a picture of the girls before church this morning, wearing matching dresses made by one of my dearest friends, Denise.)

Messenger Bag

2008-03-19T11:47:00.004-04:00

I have been looking for a great trendy bag to tote around my Bible and all of the extra stuff that goes along with it (highlighters, study guides, journal, etc....). I was beginning to give up when my sweet little Madison came in the room carrying a little purse made for her by my friend Sarah. Sarah is very creative and always makes fabulous things. I think what makes her gifts so wonderful is all of the thought and love that is put into each one. Anyway, without knowing it, she inspired me to try my hand at making my very own messenger bag. This bag is actually one that I just finished for my niece for Easter. I am making two more just like it for the girls. I love the way it turned out and had lots of fun making it!

Madison's 8th Birthday

2008-03-10T21:33:00.007-04:00

Today our sweet little Madison celebrated her 8th birthday!! Her day was very busy with school (she took treat bags to share with her classmates) and a Girl Scout meeting. After school she came home to lots of balloons (Ella loved helping with that task!!) and a birthday banner! We let her open her gifts and then took her out to eat Italian food ~ one of her favorites! She was even serenaded at the restaurant in Italian! Then it was back home to have chocolate cake and ice cream. I was finally able to drag her away from her new toys and tuck her into bed where she is now sound asleep. Thank you to all of our wonderful family for sending gifts and making her feel so very special on this day!!!

Madison Shows Off Her School Project

2008-03-07T12:59:00.003-05:00

Madison had to write a report about a forest animal for her second grade class. After lots of research, she chose the while-tailed deer. Along with the report, her teacher asked the students to make a "stuffed" animal. I printed out a picture of the white-tailed deer and Madison did the rest. She carefully cut out the picture, traced it onto felt, sewed it together, stuffed it, and then painted on the details. I think she did a fabulous job and we are so proud of her hard work!

My Slice Of Heaven

2008-03-05T19:03:00.004-05:00

Today the weather was gorgeous, so I dusted off the jogging stroller, walked Madison to school and headed out to discover my new surroundings. My run took me along a fabulous tree lined trail beside the water. I couldn't help but to stop and look at the purple crocuses peaking out to welcome Spring and watch the squirrels scamper about playfully. The air was fresh and the birds were singing as if to me alone. I feel so blessed to be living in such an amazing place! If you want to discover a little bit of heaven, please come visit! I will gladly take you on a walk you won't soon forget!

Random Thoughts About Collecting.... And A Bonus Recipe!!

2008-02-28T15:27:00.004-05:00

I love fireplaces.... the ambiance, the smell, the popcorn popping, the Smore making, and so much more! Sadly, I have never in my life lived in a house with a fireplace (not holding any grudges, Mom and Dad). But alas!!!! I now have TWO!!! Visions of many fall and winter evenings are dancing in my head! A little bit of firewood and we'll be ready to go!

Of course, now that I have two fireplaces, I have to decorate the mantels. Easier said than done as I consider myself "home decor challenged". I am tempted to just hang Christmas stockings and garland, but I think my family would object. Anyway, in my dilemma I have consulted many websites on mantel decorating. All use terms that are foreign to me such as the "Three to One" method. What?! Most did suggest, however, displaying some of the things you collect. OK. Easy enough. So I thought. Then it occurred to me that I really don't have a collection of anything. As a kid I collected stickers, buttons, and erasers, but what do I collect as an adult? I have a few cherished seashells from my Grandpa and Grandma, but they are currently in my master bathroom with the pink toilet (another story for another day). Am I missing out on life by not collecting anything?

Then, today in my kitchen, I had a moment of clarity. I do have a collection. Not a collection I can put on my mantel, but a collection none-the-less.

"Hello, my name is Connie, and I am a Cookbook-aholic".

Oh, yes, it's true. I am obsessed with cookbooks. I love them all. None of this looking up recipes on the web for me! I have to flip through the pages and look at the pictures. I stopped counting my cookbooks when I reached 75, but I'm guessing I have close to 125. And that doesn't even include the little recipe books by Pillsbury and Betty Crocker that you pick up at the check out line. And how about all of my issues of Cooks Illustrated?! Wow. I have a serious problem! But, on my defense, I actually use them regularly as I love to cook and bake. Trying a new recipe is so exciting!

So, my search for the perfect mantel continues. I will gladly accept free decorating advice from those less decor challenged. For now, I will share a yummy recipe I found on the back of Mann's Broccoli Cole Slaw. I LOVE salads, and this is quickly becoming my favorite "take to a summer picnic" dish. It might actually replace my Strawberry Spinach salad....

Sweet Broccoli Salad

4 c. Mann's Broccoli Wokly
2 c. Mann's Broccoli Cole Slaw
1 c. red onion, slivered
3/4 c. real bacon bits
1 c. slivered almonds
1 c. Craisins

Dressing:
1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. white vinegar

Whisk dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Keep chilled. Lightly blanch Broccoli Wokly in boiling water for about one minute. Remove and immediately rinse in cold water. Let cool. In a large bowl, combine the Broccoli Cole Slaw, red onion, bacon bits, almonds, and Craisins. Add blanched broccoli. Toss with dressing to coat. Keep chilled.

Home Sweet Home

2008-02-26T19:41:00.008-05:00

The last of the boxes have finally been unpacked and we are beginning to make this house our home! I am finding that having a two year old around to "help" makes getting organized take much longer than I would like. I am learning about patience, a skill I know very little about!

I am having lots of fun decorating and today I rediscovered my love of the glue gun. It's amazing how one simple craft tool can change an entire room!!! Two basic white lamp shades plus pink tassly stuff plus black ric-rac equals very cute girly lamps for Madison's room! I'm already trying to figure out what I can do next....

Stickers!!!

2008-02-12T19:43:00.000-05:00

Ella and Madison received cute little stickers from Opa and Oma for Valentine's Day. Ella LOVES stickers! Every surface of our house would be covered with them if she could have her way. Anyway, after the realization that she had left the room and had been quiet for way too long, this is how I discovered her.

We Are No Longer Homeless!

2008-02-08T12:20:00.000-05:00

I am so very happy to report that this afternoon Michael and I will be signing a lease for a wonderful house! It isn't on Post as we had anticipated, but in a lovely neighborhood near the Post. We had been praying for a house with enough room for our family, a safe neighborhood, and a great school. I was beginning to get discouraged after a month of living in lodging, but my devotions every day seemed to be about waiting on the Lord, His faithfulness, and how He always provides.... I think He was trying to tell me something!!

We thought we would end up on Post because we were at the top of the housing list; however, the list hasn't had any vacancies in 4 months! A fellow classmate of Michael's mentioned that he lived in a great neighborhood, but we didn't think much about it. Then, last Saturday, we were driving past the neighborhood on our way to Alexandria and decided to drive around a little and check it out. I immediately fell in love with the area!

After a lots of research and the realization that we could not afford to purchase a house in the area, I found two houses for rent. The first one looked great from the outside, but once we went in we were transported to 1975! YIKES! I'm pretty sure the shag carpet throughout hadn't been replaced in 20 years... It makes me shiver with disgust just thinking about it. Anyway, I knew from the second I stepped into the second house that we had found our home! It had everything we prayed for, and even more! Fresh paint, two fireplaces, wood floors on the main level, brand new carpet on the lower level, a big fenced-in yard, a sunroom.... so much I can't even think of it all. And, to top it off, Madison will be attending a great school with a fantastic reputation! Can you tell I am excited? :-)

This was my morning devotion the day after we found this house:

I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!… How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! ~ Psalm 116:1–2, 5

We have good reason to pray and keep praying: God listens and acts! How many prayers has God answered in your life? How can the memory of those answered prayers encourage you to keep praying? When God answers prayer, do you take time to thank him and revel in gratitude, as the psalmist does here?

Amazing and so true!!!

We will be leaving lodging and moving into our house at the end of next week. Once we are settled in and unpacked, please come and visit! There is so much to do in the area and we would would love to visit with our friends and family!

Toothless

2008-02-02T20:33:00.000-05:00

Madison lost tooth #3 this evening! She is anxious to see what the Tooth Fairy will leave under her pillow tonight. I think she looks so cute without a front tooth!

Who Needs Picture Books?!

2008-02-01T09:34:00.000-05:00

Ella studies the "Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States". Apparently Curious George just wasn't curious enough.

Look At Me!! Blogging Twice in Two Weeks!!!!

2008-01-30T08:58:00.000-05:00

Not much to write about this week. Our entire family spent the last five days sharing a nasty stomach virus. Madison is still home from school today. I think she's beginning to get a little stir crazy now that her energy levels are coming back, so it looks like she'll be back to school tomorrow.

That's all for now... just thought I'd whine a little and get some sympathy. I'm off to rehydrate...

Goals

2008-01-24T14:43:00.000-05:00

How is it that I have so many thoughts going through my mind, yet can't figure out what to say on this blog? I do quite a bit of thinking while on walks, taking a shower, or in the middle of the night, but by the time I actually sit down and type, those thoughts are all long gone. All this to say, I am setting a few goals for myself, this blog being included. Here they are, in no particular order:

Blog more ~ specifically once a week. I'm not sure that anyone really reads this, but it's fun to put my thoughts down and show off pictures of my girls. (And after we get a house and get our stuff out of storage, I might actually be able to post a few pictures!)

Become a runner ~ I actually love to run and find it very freeing. After I run I feel like I could take on the world. I want to become a better runner and would love to run a full marathon. I have made it a goal to do so before my 40th birthday (many, many years away, of course).

Grow my faith ~ I have found that I am being challenged in this specific area every day. It is so easy to get caught up in life and get distracted and discouraged! My goal is to dig deeper into God's word, memorize verses, and spend quality time in prayer.

Finish my Civil War quilt ~ Sometime long ago at Fort Riley, several friends and I had a fabulous idea that we would join a "Block of the month club" and get together once a month to put our blocks together. We all started out with a bang, but slowly got behind. Needless to say, only half of my blocks are pieced...

I have several more goals, but I feel like these will get me through 2008. I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Toto.... we're not in Kansas anymore!!

2007-12-30T14:17:00.000-05:00

It's official! We are no longer living in Kansas!!! We said a bittersweet good-bye to Fort Riley, drove a billion miles with stir crazy children, and are now officially East Coasters!!! We arrived in the early evening, but the sun had already set so I couldn't see the Post very well. I was feeling a little overwhelmed after fighting my way through the Washington D.C. traffic and started having serious doubts about coming here. However, after seeing this beautiful Post in the daytime, I love it and already don't ever plan on moving!!

Today I went to the Commissary (grocery store for all you non-military types) and almost fainted in the parking lot. It is HUGE! I was in Commissary heaven! Who knew you could actually have two solid aisles of bread alone!!!! They had everything I needed and stuff I didn't even know I needed! The selection was amazing! I know, I know.... so sad that I am getting this excited over a grocery store, but if you knew how frustrating shopping for food has been for the past 6 years you would understand. Keep in mind that I was in Kansas, so finding certain items was impossible and I always had to go to several different locations to get all of my groceries!!! Not anymore!!!!!!

The housing here on Post is amazing ~ hopefully we can experience it first hand soon! Right now we are living in Post Lodging and praying that a house will become available. Originally we were told we wouldn't have to wait long to get a house, but things have since changed. Apparently nobody moves in the winter! Anyway, lodging is nice and I have no complaints. We have a small furnished apartment complete with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms. House or no house, we are comfortable, settling in, and together as a family ~ that is the most important thing. We know that God has lead us here and has a plan for us, so we march on with confidence knowing that everything will work out as it always does!

Ella The Movie Star

2007-11-27T10:55:00.000-05:00

Ella cracks me up! She wore these sunglasses all afternoon one day, and refused to take them off at bathtime. I just had to take the opportunity for a few blackmail photos for later use!!!

October

2007-11-06T15:34:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite time of year! I would gladly skip summer (I hate the heat) and go straight from Spring to Fall. We really are in a little oasis in the middle of the state ~ the Army Post is so beautiful with all of the 100+ year-old houses and trees. I love to take walks in the brisk morning air and hear the leaves crunch under my feet. The colors are so vibrant and the air smells crisp... I can't wait to experience Autumn on the East Coast next year!

Michael began a course TDY October 1st ~ we are lucky enough that it is only 2 hours away, so he gets to come home to visit on the weekends. It keeps him very busy reading and writing papers, but he seems to enjoy it and it gets us one step closer to our next assignment!

Our October activities included a visit to Louisburg Cider Mill just outside of Kansas City. Madison did a great job navigating us through the huge corn maze and we all picked pumpkins out of the patch. We also spent a Saturday carving pumpkins, eating roasted pumpkins seeds & drinking Caramel Apple Cider. Yum!

Halloween here on Post really is like nothing you've ever experienced in "the real world". My friend described it perfectly when he said it was like a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Hundreds of children in costume trick-or-treating up and down the streets of Historic Main Post..... the old houses, the cool air, all the neighbors handing out candy to children and warm cider to the adults. It's amazing! I made Madison's costume this year (I could feel my Grandma smiling down from Heaven!) and decided I really do love to sew!

September

2007-10-18T10:09:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures from our trip to St. Louis, the Fort Riley Open House (Madison is in the pilot seat of a Chinook), and hanging out here at the house. Michael was on leave the entire month! It was great to have him around every day.... I think we're going to love retirement!

Our Trip To Green Bay

2007-10-18T09:50:00.000-04:00

Being the best wife on the planet, I surprised Michael with tickets to see the Packers play opening weekend in Green Bay! If you aren't aware, Michael LOVES the Packers and is a devoted Cheesehead. As a bonus, the game was on his birthday and we got to go with our good friends Scott & Kathleen! What a fabulous weekend!

Ella Helps Clean

2007-10-16T15:20:00.000-04:00

I caught Ella in the act of housecleaning.... I have to say, she is definitely environmentally friendly with her cleaning solution! Madison is providing background music as she practices piano. By the way, no need to turn down dinner invitations.... I cleaned the brush!

Ella's 2nd Birthday!

2007-09-30T14:51:00.000-04:00

Ella is 2!!! It's hard to believe our little one isn't a baby anymore!! She loved eating cake and opening presents, but cried when we sang her the "Happy Birthday" song!! Apparently, we are not the Von Trap family singers!!!!

Madison's First Day of 2nd Grade

2007-09-30T14:45:00.000-04:00

Madison is really loving second grade! Here are some pictures of her waiting for the bus on her first day of school. Ella wanted to go with her!

Michael Returns From Iraq!

2007-09-30T14:31:00.000-04:00

Michael finally made it home from Iraq on August 8th!! It is so wonderful to have him home again!

July Vacation ~ Columbus, OH

2007-08-04T16:52:00.000-04:00

The girls and I had a great time visiting Michael's sister, Dayna, and her husband, Chris, in Ohio. We took walks to the pond, made crafts, and went to the zoo! Here are some photos.

Connor Prairie ~ Noblesville, IN

2007-08-04T16:38:00.001-04:00

My mom and I took Madison, Ella and my niece, Morgan, to Connor Prairie. It's a pioneer village set in the 1830's. The girls had a great time discovering the past!

July Vacation ~ Indianapolis

2007-08-04T16:29:00.001-04:00

Here are some pictures from our visit with my parents and family in Indy.

July Vacation ~ Belleville

2007-08-04T16:24:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures from our visit with Michael's parents in Illinois.

Spring Canyon ~ June 2007

2007-08-04T15:59:00.001-04:00

Madison, Ella and I were lucky enough to get a week at Spring Canyon in Buena Vista, CO for the "Heros on the Homefront" seminar. Spring Canyon is a beautiful retreat owned by Officer Christian Fellowship. It was incredible!! Madison kept very busy with the children's program ~ learning about God, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, swimming, and making neat crafts. Ella played in the nursery with the other kids her age and learned songs, played with bubbles, and collected many rocks. Besides awesome seminars, horseback riding and hanging out at the hot springs, I was lucky enough to go white water rafting (and can't wait to go again)! And the homemade meals three times a day.... Wow! Needless to say, we all came away mentally, physically, and spiritually refreshed!