Happy Halloween!

We do Halloween at my home---and I make little treats to hand out--I take a lollipop and wrap a tissue over it and fasten a twist tie around it and then use a black marker to make a face---Boo!
Then I make little goody bags!

Well I hope everyone that participates in this day, have a safe and fun day filled with lots of candy.

Tooth Fairy!

This is a picture of my little sleepy head--she lost one tooth on Friday Night, and then another on Saturday night, so by Sunday she was rich...LOL:)

Here is a picture of my sweet girl showing off the dollars she found under her pillow. Bless her heart, she was so excited to loose her teeth.

My Wordless Wednesday!

Hey There:)

Thanks for answering my polls--those are always fun to see everyone's answers.

This is going to be a short week for my kids, I am so happy. No school Thursday or Friday. I do have a teacher conference at Alexis's school today---that should take all of 20 minutes. We had a Fall party--and since I am room mom with another mom we had our duties to do. I was in charge of the cookie center. We decorated sugar cookies like little pumpkins, it was fun, and Little Kevin had a ball too.

The weather is so much better, we can all breath again--yay!! I like breathing, don't you?


I am going to make a chore chart for my children---I had made one last year while I was in Georgia, but then during the move it got ruined--and I never did re-make one. My older son is a big help for me, but he sometimes forgets what day he needs to take the trash cans to the curb and so on. It was actually his encouragement to make another chart--and yes, he gets an allowance for his help.

OHH, I can not wait to start decorating for Christmas---and baking Christmas cookies--YAY!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Pumpkin Seeds

I made pumpkin seeds last night---this is the recipe/directions I used:

Step One
Separate the seeds of a freshly carved pumpkin from the stringy membrane. Rinse the seeds just until they are free of any membrane matter.
Step Two
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step Three
Put the seeds on a paper towel and let them dry for a few minutes.
Step Four
Spray a baking sheet with butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray or brush with a light coating of vegetable oil. Put the seeds on the baking sheet in a single layer, turning to coat lightly with the spray or the oil. Sprinkle the seeds lightly with salt, if desired.
Step Five
Put the baking sheet in the oven. Cook the seeds for 10 to 20 minutes, or until brown and slightly crisp, turning once. Allow to cool before eating.
Step Six
Store seeds in an airtight container.
Tips & Warnings
Pumpkin seeds can be eaten with the outer shell on or off.
For a saltier treat, boil the pumpkin seeds in heavily salted water for ten minutes, then bake them.
Also try additional seasonings on your seeds: cajun seasoning, worcestershire sauce, and garlic salt are some possibilities.

Cast Iron Skillet!

This is something every kitchen needs--a good ol' cast iron skillet:) I was so excited when I got mine.

Pictures!

Friday!

Good Morning!!! Finally, I turned on the news and it had something different other then the fires----When you go outside, your mouth feels all gritty and your eyes start to sting----School is closed today, I am so happy about that. Today, I am going to play catch up with the house. I have the washer going as I type---it has whites in it. This week has been anything but normal--so I am a bit behind...To say the least...LOL. I was at my Grandmother's yesterday, in the midst of it all she still needs to get to the grocery store--so we had a nice day together, but now, I am even more behind on the housework. So that is what I will be doing.

Here is a picture of my car---it is covered in ash-->

Also, Kevin is 6 MONTHS TODAY!!!!!! I can not believe it--Happy 1/2 birthday little guy:)))

...and I am sure some of you can relate to this little diddy---since I did not have to get up at 5:00 this morning, I am laying in bed with the baby, and Alexis was in her room VERY quiet---She had gotten one of her little friends phone numbers and was calling her at 6:30 in the morning---OHHHH--I was horrified...LOL. I am going to have to call in a little bit and let the mother know we are not all nuts here...LOL---- I had to explain phone etiquette to my little princess today.

Update

All schools in this district are closed.

This is the weather ICON on our weather map today.

Chicken Tonight

Dinner tonight, I took out some chicken and poured the Lawrey's marinade over it. This is the first time I am trying this particular flavor, so I will update on the taste. Lawry's Garlic and Lime--it does smell yummy
If I bought three of these(different flavors) I got a free bag of candy--YAY!!!

I will also serve a salad, and Kevin wants something fried, so I will fry some potatoes--and some steamed asparagus.

Also, please don't think the fires are going to stop me from enjoying your clean sinks:) Add your link when you have time down below--->

The fires

Update: This picture does not do what I really see justice--the moon is bright red!!
Update---I finally got through to my husband--the fires that are near, are backfires--thank goodness--please forgive my worrisome post below:(

They are now entering San Clemente---AHHH----I don't know what to do, they closed down the freeway too. My husband is stuck who knows where, I keep getting his voicemail---and--they have not said anything about school--ugh---I am at a loss right now. Trying not to show fear in front of your children is rather quite difficult!

Update!

Update 2:00 p.m. --this is what it looks like from my home-->

So far so good by me. The fires are all around me--every time I listen to the news, a new fire has started up--the air quality is VERY!!! BAD----I have the house closed up with the A/C on--it doesn't help that it is 95 degrees outside either. I feel so bad for the firefighters working in this heat and all the people having to evacuate---ugh--it is terrible--and it is 24/7 coverage on the TV. I am right in between Los Angeles and San Diego---to give you a little idea of where I am--I am right by Camp Pendleton.



I am keeping all in my prayers!!
Stay Safexo

Shiny Sinks!!!

This is no longer going to be a sticky post...LOL:o)
Update: I am so hoping for some more pictures:)
Thank you for sharing your pictures

Okay--Ta-Da! Here is my shiny sink:o)

Your turn---->

Please leave a link to your blog of a picture of your shiny sink--and whoever said NO Way, because their sink was old--well, my sink is old too...LOL

Party Day!

Party Day!! My Fathers birthday was a few weeks ago----my step mother was ill, so the party was postponed, UNTIL today!!! YAY:) I will be going over to my sister's to see everyone--My Dad has not seen Little Kevin in awhile so this will be fun--I am going to bring my camera--and if I don't get caught in the moment I will snap some pictures!! My sister just lives a few minutes away, so I won't be gone too long.
Have a great Saturday!!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT IS FRIDAY!!--->YAY!!!

I was thinking of doing a Mister Linky on shiny sinks? I want to see everyone's shiny sink--what do you think? Would you play if I did it? I was thinking of putting it up on Sunday and letting everyone have the week to post a picture----I thought it might be fun and get us going to a clean sink week--Thoughts?

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

(My mother is sitting down on the right, with the dark hair, my father is behind her holding a drink)
October 18th, 1946--February 4th, 2004

I miss you Mom!

Wednesday!

Aren't these the cutest little waters. I picked these up at Costco--I got 70-8 oz waters for under 8.00--perfect for lunches---plus I always bring one in the car with me now---since I am nursing I have to keep my fluids coming.

Things are going so much better today---thank you all for your kind words-----I just have to remember things aren't always as bad as they seem, and almost always I am able to look back and think how could I have been so upset.

Well, my sink is shining right now---I did the normal housework today---The kids are on the mend--and I must take Grandma to the Doctor tomorrow for an appointment she has.

I have a roast in the oven for dinner--and my washer and dryer are going. It is such a fall day today--I LOVE IT!!!

Thoughts

Have you ever felt selfish? I sure felt selfish today. First off, my daughter caught an icky cold and cough, so I have been praying for her to recover. Then as I was driving today, my *Service Engine Soon* Light came on--My car is pretty new, so I freaked out a bit......I could not concentrate on anything but that little light looking at me. When my husband called me, I mentioned the light and I was hoping for some reassurance from him to say, oh I am sure it is nothing, but instead he said, "UH OH!"--so that really got me going. So I take my car with kids in tow, to the Auto mechanics, and he does a diagnostic computer check---I sure was praying----ohhhhh----all that needed fixed was a new gas cap---I could breath--THEN!!!--My son calls me from school to let me know he lost his backpack---ohhhh---$400.00 worth of school books--more praying went on!!!! Tony then calls me to tell me he found his backpack, but whoever had it went through his backpack and tossed all his books in the bushes, and took the bookcovers----book covers I can replace, 100 dollar books I was relieved were safe. I was praying for everything today!!!! ..and now that the day is winding down and everything is not as bad as it first seemed--I sure feel selfish for all that I was thinking. I mean, I have been reading a blog about a mother that has lost her 5 year old daughter--I am sure you are all familiar with her blog---I am sure she would give anything to blog about losing a back pack or getting her car fixed---but in the heat of the moment I totally lost what really matters most:( Oh, please forgive me!!!

Rules

Our neighborhood street is being slurry sealed--and they are doing it in 3 parts--well, today is the part where I live--so the rules were clearly stated that we had to have our car off the street by 7 a.m until 7 a.m. the next day ( I could have left my car in the driveway or garage, but then I would not have been able to drive it until the next day til the street was open again)---or we would be towed and if we caused any damage to the street during this we would have to pay, well, I was up and dressed by 5:30--and I had my kids up, dressed and fed by 6:30--I was out the door at 6:55. Whew--I did it. Well, since we had a lot of extra time, we stopped at the store and bought an apple for the teacher and my oldest met up with some friends. Okay, so now I am coming back home, I find a parking spot pretty close, so I don't have to walk far--it is now 8 a.m.--and do you know, there were still so many cars still parked every where, where they weren't supposed to be--people were just coming out of there house in a lackadaisical way and moving there car----There were just too many cars to get towed, so the workers had no choice but to wait for all the people who did not follow the rules to move their car----so now I ask you? Why was I stressing so much---ugh--because, I followed the rules--and if I didn't get anything out of this other then showing my kids, that even as adults we have to follow rules, even if we don't want too------

...and look I just took this picture and there is still a car parked there----I have no idea what is going to happen to that car--will they work around it, tow it--hmmmm.

So, that is a little glimpse into my morning--so with that I have to say HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plans, plans, plans!!! I have so many things I want to do. I want to catch up with all of the blogs I just love to read---there are so many wonderful blogs--I just love blogs about homemaking, so if by chance you are reading, and I have not been to your blog, can you please leave a comment so I can find you:)

I want to do some baking----also, Alexis wants to visit with Bobby(Grandma) so we will go there for a visit. My husband usually plays catch up with his work--he has a crew that he is always doing what they don't finish so he can finish all the tickets that are due. My husband just loves his job--which is a good thing:)

xoxoxox

A Few Things...

Happy Thursday

Happy Thursday! First off---my neighborhood has decided to slurry seal the street--ummm, it looks absolutely perfect--anyway, so I am not aloud to drive on my street for 24 hours starting tomorrow at 7---oh boy, this is causing me a bit of stress---I mean there are so many cars on my street that are going to have to find new places to park for 24 hours--where am I going to park?? ...and how am I going to get to my car tomorrow with a baby, a 6 year old and a teenager--at 7 in the morning---hmmmmmm, and they say it might rain----I am going to have my camera and take pictures of this exciting morning...LOL. I may just leave it in the driveway and leave right before 7, not to have to deal with having to find my car. I will let you know, what happens.

Looky what I found at the store---> Gingerbread and Eggnog creamer. I put the gingerbread in my coffee this morning--oooh, it is really good.

I just LOVE EGGNOG!!! so this should make for an interesting coffee.

Fly Lady sure knows what she is talking about when she says to shine your sink. Have you noticed that when you shine your sink, everything else just seems to fall in place. If my kitchen is a mess, then it just leads to a un-organized day, kwim? When I house clean I sometimes just do 5 minutes at a time---It amazes me what I can get done in 5 minutes---I can make my bed and pick up a few things and wipe things down in a matter of minutes. Then I play with baby, then another 5 minutes, then play with baby..and so on...not all the time--sometimes, when he sleeps for a good two hours I can get a lot done--like a bathroom scrubbed, laundry put away, etc. How I enjoy being a wife and mother:)

I did my grocery shopping yesterday, and would you believe it, I forgot garbage bags? I even had a list and I still forgot them, so this morning, I had to stop back at the store and get garbage bags.(and a few other things too;)

Tonight for dinner we will have a 7-bone roast. Baby is up--be back soon xoxox

Aprons

Why do I wear an apron? It is not because I am a messy housekeeper...LOL--I just think they are so feminine---especially the new one I just got from my grandmother---I have this pretty yellow material, that I am going to make an apron out of too--just need to find the time, when the baby will be occupied for a good amount of time.


Also---when I do wash dishes I do sometimes get wet--but I would rather let my apron get wet then my dress--PLUS, as I have said before I love Caroline Ingalls---I guess if I admired June Cleaver as much I would be posting about pearls...(giggles)

Do you wear an apron?

Have a wonderful Autumn day--come on COOL weather, we are waiting for you :o)

Monday!

Airing Out The Quilts By Linda Nelson

How was your Monday? Mine was productive, I took Bobby shopping today--and we had a wonderful day. Little Kevin just started puting his little hands forward reaching for you, when you put your hands out to pick him up--it was so precious and it made my Grandmother smile for those little hands to reach out to her.

I just took a load of laundry out of the dryer to put away, and I thought I better make a post before bed:)

I took this picture of the Albertson's I shop at--pretty exciting, huh? LOL---well, I always enjoy pictures on blogs of things like this--

It was a hot day today--I mean HOT!!! It is supposed to cool off--hopefully it will. We had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner--I used a jar sauce with Mushrooms and Olives--and it was pretty good--I really like olives.

Well, tomorrow Alexis is having a play date with a friend from school--so that should be fun. There are some really nice kids on our block too, so that really makes me happy that Alexis is having a nice social life:) It is so cute to hear little girls play--

My dear sweet Tony, was in a situation with some kids--and he made the right decision---I am soooo VERY proud of him. It is hard being 15, remember those days?

Well, I better get the laundry put away--have a great evening:)

Sunday

Happy Sunday!



Proverbs Day 280 (KJV):

Proverbs 25:26 (KJV): A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.





Thoughts for the Day
This verse from Proverbs compares a righteous man who compromises, to a polluted spring. Men and women of God should be as a spring of fresh water to thirsty people. However, when a spring becomes muddied or polluted with something dead in it, then it is unfit to drink. This is how our Christian witness becomes when we yield to sin and compromise our integrity, thus allowing the wicked to mock us.
There is a story in the Old Testament about a time when Jerusalem, the city of God's people, was lying in ruins because it had been destroyed by its enemies. It is a type of the life of a Christian whose life has been wasted by the enemy. Nehemiah, who was a Jewish exile in Persia obtained permission from the King to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. He was met with resistance when Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem heard about his plans. They mocked him and even falsely accused him of rebelling against the king.



Prayer for the Day
Dear Heavenly Father, Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I am one through whom sweet water can always flow forth. Lord, help me to guard my mouth and speak good things from Your Word. Deliver me from all compromise and give me the grace to always stand in integrity before men. Help Your people to be good witnesses in this world so that we do not bring any reproach on the Kingdom of God. Forgive us when we fall down and lift us back up and rebuild our walls, so that the enemy is defeated in our lives. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Courtesy of Bible.com

Some Pictures!

Kevin is 5 months old. He had another Well Baby--he is 17 1/2 pounds, and all from Mother's Milk:)

Work like you don't need the money,
Love like you've never been hurt
Dance like no one is watching.


Alexis and Emma being silly:)


They say it takes a minute to find a special Person,
an hour to appreciate them,
A day to love them,
but then an entire Life to forget them.

Books!

I stopped at the .99 cent store, and they really have a great selection of books. Books are so important. I read to my children everyday. I paid .99 cents but look how much they would have been at a regular book store---$6.99---wow!!!
This is a book about Winnie the Pooh---he is searching for honey---where is Winnie??
POP!!! Here he is...LOL. Winnie pops up on every page looking for his honey. Little Kevin just loves this page of the book---Look at all the pretty colors.