Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Thank our Good God for health and for our little family. May God bless you and yours always!

Boo reaches double digits!

This Christmas Eve, my little Boo turned 10. Yikes, 3 kids in double digits and counting! Where has the time gone?

Mixer Head

There are no words...

Gingerbread Houses

I "made" gingerbread houses this year out of graham crackers. Cheating, I know, but why waste all that good gingerbread? The children just eat the candy and throw the rest away. I asked them to save some Halloween candy for the houses this year, so I only had to buy two $1 bags of gummy bears. Saved me a bundle! *LOL*

Teddies and stuff...

I made some things to donate this year, because I don't have enough to do and needed to stress myself out just a little more...heck, what's Christmas without a little stress? *LOL*

My niece's 1st birthday!

My Godchild, (a.k.a. Princess), has just turned one! She had a great time, tearing paper off her presents, knocking her brother and cousins down, and taking half the frosting off the cake w/her highchair tray.

I made her this outfit. Here she is with the hat!

An Evening at the ...E.R.?!

Life with children...always an adventure. Our current adventure started at 3 pm this afternoon. The kids were all out playing in the backyard, when my 8 yo ran into the house, visibly shaken and near hysterical. I heard words: "blood" "head" "hurt" and ran out of the house to find my youngest lying face down in the dirt. He wasn't moving, but I knew better than to pick him up. It took me a good 3 min. or so to get him to get up, and as any parent knows, that is a very long time!
I took him to the doc, who sent me to the hospital, and a scary trip to "trauma" for a CT scan and Xray.
Who knew a simple fall in the backyard would result in a broken thumb, a concussion, and, instead of stitches, the gash on his head was super-glued! Ah, the wonders of modern medicine.
And my friends all jumped in to help; with supper, rides to and from GS, taking the other kids back home, and even hanging out at the house so JP could come up to the hospital to check up on the little guy.
Thanks to everyone who helped out today! And I must say, everyone at the hospital was super good to us, and made a scary situation less stressful with their professionalism.
Oh, one more thing...God? Remember when I said I was bored? Yeah, well, I take it back...

"Stained Glass"

JP and the three younger children have been busy preparing for Christmas with this project, made with black construction paper, colored tissue paper, and laminate. We are all pleased with the results...

Black Friday

I love Black Friday! Left the house at 5:30 am with my BFF (Black Friday Friend). *LOL* The Boy Scouts had set up a free coffee & donuts stand, so we helped ourselves to their coffee before we set out. We had a lovely time. Hung with our crazy friends at Joanne's Fabrics for a few laughs. Yes, they know us on a first name basis!
Our fellow shoppers were all courteous, the clerks were helpful, and everyone seemed to be in a pretty good mood. We went out for breakfast at the Coffee Mug, which has the best coffee! And at the last store we went to, I opened up my checkbook to...no checks! Good thing I brought my backup...thanks T! *LOL*

Happy Thanksgiving!

The kids and I had some fun with Thanksgiving this year. Saw this idea on weewonderfuls, and we just had to make some. Blessings from our home to yours!

Hawkumon

Angus! came up with his own version of trading cards. He asked if we could "bring one to life", so to speak.

A Five-year-old's view of the world...

"Foot", a self portrait; study of "Grandpa in Chair";










photo commentary on "Brother's Dirty Foot"; and "Dueling Elbows"

Birthday Bananas

My eldest daughter turned 13 yesterday. Can I say I'm stunned? How did that happen?

We were a little giddy from the ice cream and cake...

Jewels, jewels, jewels!

I received my jewelry from Lia Sophia last night, after a little mishap. It was delivered to an address across the street, and I was panicking about where it went!
Ah, "all's well that ends well", so they say, and I have a "couple" new pieces to enjoy. I do appreciate the fact that the kids are old enough to not rip earrings out of my ears, or the necklace off my neck! LOL!

Jack-O-Lantern pie

JP was asked to be Godfather to John, but before we headed out to CT this morning for the Baptism, I made pies...one to share, and one for me. uh, well, you get the idea.

We carve the pumpkins on Halloween. After trick-or-treating, I cut the pumpkins in half, bake @ 350 in a pan w/an inch of water for about an hour. Scoop 'em out, let drain in a colander overnight. Puree in a food processor, and the pumpkin is ready.

Mix ingredients in the order given:
2 cps pumpkin
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup sugar (brown or white)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
12oz can evap milk

Pour into (9in.) pastry shell. Bake @ 425 for 15 min., reduce temp to 350, and continue baking for 45 min., or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. I usually double these spices, since they are my favorites! Enjoy!

First day out

Okay, here goes. My sibs and friends have been bugging me to join facebook, and I just can't imagine that. So, I think I'll do the next best thing. A blog! What better way to get me to spend more time on the 'puter than I already do?

Did a show, 'Homelearner's Craft Fair', in Arlington today. Attempted to sell some cards. Yeah, right. I must be crazy trying to sell greeting cards in the age of texting, facebook, and email! I sold seven. Is that good?