Wreaths Across America ~ Arlington National Cemetery

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

Thanksgiving

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

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

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

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

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!

PLEASE VOTE!

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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....

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

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

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

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: