media fast

I am going to say goodbye for a few weeks, my friends! Just taking a little break from the computer- logging off for a bit. The problem is not the computer- and it is not you, or your blogs- the problem is with me - and the balance that has yet again gotten out of whack! When I constantly fill my mind with tv and movies and blogs and pinterest and facebook - there is not much left for what is really important...

I will miss you! :)

spin-art pumpkins

The kids and I are totally in love with this project.


Each pumpkin is better than the last.


You never know quite how it will turn out.



Spin, salad spinner!


But before you spin- put in the paper...
Squirt on the paint...


s-p-i-n...
crack open the lid and peek in!



It's miraculous.


Turn this--


Into this.


What is not to love?!


Even the leftover mess is a work of art.


And to think- tomorrow this spinner will be back to lettuce.

2 sharpies + white shoes =

Too bad my little funky shoe wearer is taking a nap...these would be a lot cuter on the feet.

I had a moment................

Yesterday I went for my yearly physical....my cholesterol is a little high :( But other than that it was good! Good news was I didn't have to have the you-know-what test- I only have to do that every 3 years! Yay....Anyway- she convinced me to get a flu shot ((which I did not want to do))- and I did and have felt terrible ever since- my arm is SORE, and achy and blah blah... (now I know why my poor kids have a hard time getting shots!!!)




So tonight- I put on Christmas music (Oh shoot! I should not have told you that!!!!) and made pumpkin pancakes!!!!


That was my healing moment! It was dark and rainy outside, the kitchen was warm and cinnamon smelling, and the pumpkin pancakes were yummy and comforting (maybe not the greatest for my cholesterol?!?!....next time I'll leave off the butter...)

Wow. I must be getting old if I am worrying about that!!!


So if you need a warm and cozy moment go make these........:)

PumpkinPancakes

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (I didn't use)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

fall mantels + Ikea birds

Fun thrift store find: 4 Ikea placemats for $1- tweet, tweet.

Fall mantel!

Art by my kids: Indian Corn and a Sunflowers painting from last year. The leaves are pages from books and scrapbook paper taped up.


Another recent deal--striped rug for $6!

Now back to fall mantels of the past.....................................
.........................................................................


2009

2010


And waaay back to 2008 when it was white.

fall's soliloquy

flowers in the hair
yellow leaves in the air....

stripes, sweaters, and corduroy...

The weather's cooler,
summer is through....
there is nothing quite like a leopard print shoe.

(p)inspiration

Hi from our house today :)

Source: family.go.com via Sara on Pinterest

I saw this on pinterest and have a little redhead at home who could be Lucy too!

Source: nikkidwright.wordpress.com via Sara on Pinterest

I want to sit and sew felt!!!!!!!!!!!

(or just sit and look at this inspiring photo :)

Source: rebeccascaprichos.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

Pinterest is so full of great ideas- how about a bird mobile for the classroom?

have a great Wednesday :)

last week's hi-lites: the zoo, the library, the donuts, and the outdoors

yay, Fall!

Source: kendieveryday.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: whatiwore.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

Fall is the funnest time of year to dress. Jeans, sweaters, scarves, boots- super fun. Here are a few of my favorite outfits from my pinterest board.
.......................................


Today was a good day...thought I'd record it here to remember:

6:10- turned off my alarm and reset it. (talked myself into walking on the treadmill later)
6:35- turned my alarm off and decided that I really needed to get out of bed this time.
Shower, hair, makeup, get dressed- jeans, t-shirt and hoodie today (started out in the low 60s and got warmer later)
7:30ish- Said hi to boys (playing legos in their room)
Looked in on the girl- still sleeping
Let Sadie out to potty
Make bowl of cereal for myself- boys get their cereal.
Little Miss wakes up. Time for her Multigrains! (Multigrain cheerios every day for that kid- before that it was Honey Nut Cheerios)
8:00- Devotions on the couch (a little distracted- the kids come in and out- I tell them to get going on their chores, devotions, and piano practice)
8:30- Get a load of laundry in, pick up a few messes, stick some dishes in the dishwasher
9:00- School time! We all stomp up to the schoolroom. Best time of day- Bible story, storytime, memory work, songs, poems, geography, science reading.
10:30- Downstairs again for snack- yogurt for the kids, chips and salsa for me. I deal with the laundry for a few minutes while the kids play legos
11:00- Back up the stairs! Back to work. I assign work, drill one child with flashcards while another reads to a brother, I switch and have one read to me while the others do writing, etc, etc...in the midst of it all we decide to make Indian corn (we had just read some info about it). One kid gets hers and mine done while the boys finish their math.

12:20- Back downstairs for lunch. The kids run outside while I get food ready. Pineapple, sandwiches, veggie chips.
12:30- they come in to eat and I finish reading a chapter to them from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
1:00- Back upstairs to finish a few school projects
1:30- quiet time! The boys start off together in their room (quiet time means that they can play or do whatever quietly without bothering mom)...but they got louder and louder- so I separated them- one had the room to himself and the other brought toys and books to use in the living room. Our girl was having quiet time in the schoolroom- using the craft supplies up there. I answered some e-mails, then- took a nap.
3:00- More laundry, make a few phone calls, kids get up and make themselves a snack- the boys have a huge mess in their room- so one works on that while the other finishes piano practice. Little Miss watches a Tom + Jerry dvd. I start making banana bread and figuring out what else we will have for supper.
4:00- I decide that we will set the tent up outside and use it for school tomorrow- I figure the boys can put it up themselves. Corn chowder is on my menu for this week, so I get stuff out for that. The boys try and set up the tent and need help. I get the soup started and then go out to help. We get it up- just even the smell of a tent (that plastic-like crayon smell) makes me happy :) The kids get sticks for the bonfire and fight over who has the right size sticks....
5:00- oops- the soup is not quite ready- I only have about half of the stuff in the pot- quick- finish that-we have soccer for the baby in an hour. Make a salad, she cuts (whacks) the banana bread, the soup tastes souper boring- I add chili powder hoping it will taste like chicken tortilla soup that way. (guess it didn't quite work, everyone doused it with salt)
5:20- we sit down to eat. After a bit, Dave reads the questions we got from our parenting class - thought provoking questions for your kids. Tonight's questions: What could you not live without? How would God provide for you if you had to go without that thing? What thing could Dad not live without? Mom? We got into a good discussion.....oops- It's 5:40! We're going to be late for soccer.. Dave gets a business related call- we all scramble to get ready.
5: 53- leave for soccer
6:04- they have already started. She actually kicks the ball tonight. Super beautiful weather- the boys play football on another field. Dave and I cheer.
7:30ish - get home from soccer- start the getting ready for bed process..boys on the computer checking football stats. I scramble to get sheets on the beds (they had been washed today..that was long overdue). Dave does supper dishes.
8:00- Baby in bed, boys heading to their room. I get some things ready for school tomorrow. Dave goes for a run. I fold some clothes- put in another load.
9:00- Aaah! I get the computer all to myself! Time to blog/read, answer e-mails.
9:43- realized I never did get on the treadmill :(

Thank You, Lord, for the good day! I am so blessed. Thank You for Dave who works hard to provide for us- thank you for our kids- thank you that I can stay home with them. Thank you that I am not potty training anyone right now!!!!!!! (prayers and hugs to my friends who are :) :)