Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween Everyone! This year the kids saved me alot of time and money because they wanted to be the same thing they were last year!!! 

SPOOKY!

I don't think this little boy is EVER going to grow out of his LOVE for Thomas.

I can't seem to get a good picture of Razy in her costume.  Every time she gets into it, it seems that she is in a very tired mood.  She actually really likes the costume and most of the time will run around the house acting like a kitty.  Thanks to JBody's Aunt, her costume was very cheap.  I only had to buy the ears and the boa for her tail.  The tutu I made from left over tulle that JBody's Aunt had.  Thursday night I was able to get some whiskers and a nose put on her, but she quickly wiped them off.  I didn't even try for today's festivities.

Send me a link to your cuties all dressed up in thier Halloween best.  I would love to see them all.

Look What Hatched at Our House!

The kids got a new pet this Halloween. 

 Her name is Charolette

Today Charolette had some babies!

Just in time for Halloween. 

Congratulations Charolette!

To see how we made this fun Halloween Spider Sack go HERE.

From Handsome to Handsome With a Side of Goofy

For the past 2 weeks Lil' E has been so excited because he has had his first loose tooth. 

Last night we were fiddling around with it.  We told him that he would probably loose it in a couple days.  He just couldn't leave it alone so I looked at it one more time.  I tugged a couple times and then sent him off to the bathroom to grab some tissue.  I walk in to take on last photo because I had a feeling it was coming out When I walked into the room all I saw was my little boy with a mouthful of blood.

HE WAS ONE HAPPY BOY!

I was so excited for him to loose it.  Now that it is gone, I am sad.  He isn't a little boy anymore.  He is officially moving into the "goofy" stage!

Three Little Pumpkins

Ready for the pumpkin patch in her new dress that I finished making for her the other week.  I am quite proud of myself for making this.  It is my first dress with sleeves.  I have made a pillowcase dress and a pair of jammie pants, but I was scared to make this and I love it!! I feel like I can take on the sewing world!

She thought this was HER horse and had trouble sharing with her brothers.  She even sat in the rain because she did not want them to take it from her.

Milky Bones. 

 I want to try and make this with Lil' E.

Cousins and best buds!

His STRIKE A POSE pose

Three little pumpkins sitting in a cart

The first one said...

Razy and her pumpkin.  I wasn't going to buy it but she carried it everywhere with her.  All the way home and then at home.  We won't be carving this baby.  We'll probably just put a vinyl face on him/her.

Her pride

Oh boy were these guys stinky

Mr. Stinky himself

Budding photographer. 

Mema: "Who Lil' E you are sure strong to push that"

Lil' E: "It is because I eat healthy foods"

Checking out the old school merchandise

picture from:http://www.prairiehillprimitives.com/cart/html/images/HappyFallPumkinLARGE.jpg

Lil' E and Doble's Getaway!

I was able to get the boys's room cleaned up today and here are the before and after photos for you to enjoy!  It is so funny how the boys get excited when thier room is cleaned.  It is like a new discovery for them.  I wish they would remember the feeling they have when it is cleaned.  I should have taken before and after photos of it being dirty, but I was WAY TOO embarrased. 

Not the best picture, but I didn't take very many pictures at all before we did the remodel.  In fact these are from the appraisal we had done.  I don't miss the carpet at all.  And as for the baseboards we were so happy to get rid of them.  Like in Razy's room we left the ceilings the wood to keep some of the house's charm.  The boys room has some great lines in it too. 

I still want to do curtains in their room.  I just haven't found exactly the right fabric to use.  With it being winter we don't have to worry so much about the sun waking them or keeping them up.  In the summer it was a whole different story.  I just took down the ghetto tin foil two days ago.

I started to paint thier dresser white and then decided I didn't like it.  The plan is to find a good darker blue and paint it that color.  We shall see. 

You can't really tell from this picture, but there is a small window nook behind Doble's head where the baseboard is.  The next picture shows it.

The window nook in the boys's room is so cute.  I want to paint the bookshelf still, but just haven't had the time.  The doors need to be painted and new handles put on.  Once again these doors used to be wood paneled like the walls were.  JBody and Jason had to take them out and install new ones.  Not an easy process.

Taking it One Step at a Time

 Have you ever seen a little toddler as they do just that toddle along?  Thier little bodies wobbling as they try to balance their little bodies with thier somewhat large heads.  Then they learn to run.  You can't help but laugh as thier little feet scurry as fast as they can and the rest of thier bodies try to keep up.  That is how I am feeling right now.  I have a huge task ahead of me and can't seem to keep up.  My thoughts, ideas, and intentions are running a mile a minute while the rest of me tries to keep up, but just can't seem to do so.  Unlike the little toddler who falls and gets right back up, it takes me awhile to get up and go.  I get so overwhelmed that I don't know where to begin.  I got on the computer this morning to check my email and there was a comment from a friend who wrote this..."I think you are amazing! You seem to be able to accomplish anything you set your mind on. What an amazing gift!" What a wonderful confidence booster from a wonderful friend.   I decided to live up to that compliment she gave me this morning.  I can accomplish anything I set my mind on.  So it may take a week, or two, or three, or four. But I am going to set my mind on my home.  It is definately lived in.  I can do a quick clean here and there to make it acceptable to have people see it, but deep down I know that it is not where I want it to be.  My downstairs is the easy part.  It is my upstairs (the area no one, but those who live in the home) see.  I know that I will be a happier person if I can accomplish this HUGE task, but I am going to take it one step at a time.  I am not going to let my intentions run faster than I can work.  I will accomplish this.  Thanks Laurie for your inspiring words. 

As I go I want to post pictures.  I have been meaning to show you our remodel and what better time to do it then when it is clean.  You may only get a room or two a day (probably just a room). So enjoy! 

First off Razy's nook!

Do you remember this post awhile back? I was so proud when we had finally done something to Razy's cute little bedroom.  I would have never imagined that it later would turn into something so much better.

I love the nice crisp walls.  No more dark wood.  I found this bed on freecycle.  Yep that is right it was free.  I painted the drawers to match her room, bought a mattress and bedspread and VIOLA fit for a princess.  While visiting my sister in law I found some cute fabric and made my first ever CUTE curtains.  I love the way they turned out.  We got rid of the baseboard heating and put in central air.  And no more yucky carpet.  I love the new, soft, dark brown carpet we chose throughout the house.

You can't really tell, but underneath that tutu is a door.  Yep everything blended in.

The doors are not finished, but I love the transformation.  We still need to paint the doors the same white as the trim and get hardware, but what a difference new door made.  JBody and his friend Jason did a wonderful job installing these.  They were a headache but well worth it.

Again there is a door on the left and to the right of her bookself.

Razy's room is probably my favorite room in the whole house.  Small, but cozy.  We love the purple we chose on the wall and the pink and green give it just the perfect princess touch. 

New Skill Challenge!

Do you ever get into the domestic mode and get all giddy when you do something you have never done before?  Well today I canned for the first time and I am feeling quite proud of myself for tackling alone.  It has always been something that I have wanted to try.  Last year JBody's grandmother gave us boxes and boxes of jars.  I had plans to can last year and never did get around to it.  This year I decided I would take on the project.  Let me tell you it is quite the project when you do it all by yourself (well with a little help from the smaller hands in our home) and when your little kitchen only has so much counter and moving space.  After only a few hours of canning here are my results.  Yep I only got 4 quart jars of applesauce and 2 smaller jars (don't know the size) of apple butter. I think I may have had them in the water bath for too long, but I wanted to make absolutely sure. To some I probably am really slow at canning.  Some may even think, "Why bother?"  I would respond, "It was a fun learning experience."  I love it when I learn a new skill.  Don't we all take pride in the work we do with our own hands no matter how small they may seem to another?  I know I do.  So for all of my readers out there, I challenge you to do something you have never done before.  Who knows you may just find your new favorite pastime.  Come back and tell me how it turned out for you.  I would love to hear all about it and give you praises and congratulations!

Apple Butter

I love this time of year.  I love the smell of apples and spices.  I LOVE APPLE BUTTER!  I have had a few requests for the recipe I use for my apple butter so here you go.  I have my first batch cooking as we speak so I can't post a picture quite yet.  I promise to when I spread the yummy goodness on a piece of buttered toast.

Apple Butter

12 medium apples (I have no idea what type of apple we have on our two trees out back)
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup apple juice
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cinnamon

In buttered crockpot (don't always do this) add your apples.  I use my handy apple slicer.  You know the circle one that cores it and quarters your apple.  I add everything core and all to the crock pot.  If you don't have a mill you will want to peel and discard your cores.  However, leaving the core helps to naturally thicken the butter. 

In a bowl mix your sugar, juice and spices.  Then pour over your apples and stir.  Cover and cook on low for 10 hours. 

About this time is when it is late at night and I don't want to wait the extra 2 hours. I put the mixture in the refrigerator and begin where I left off in the morning.

Run mixture through a food mill or if you don't have one mash with a fork or masher (doing it with a masher or fork will give you chunkier results).  I like to put it through my mill because it is alot smoother. 

(Sometimes I stop here too and wait till morning to finish)

Cook uncovered on low for 2 hours to let thicken.  Stir every so often.  I like to taste it as it cooks, because many times I add more cinnamon.  I like cinnamon. 

Let cool .  Then put in your containers.  It will store for quite sometime in the refrigerator.  This year I will skip the cooling process and can it.  So excited!!

Enjoy!  If you have any questions let me know, I will help you if I can.  This is so yummy on toast, or even when used to dip graham crackers or animal crackers in.  Writing this up is making me anxious to eat it.

Pork Chop Supper

As our dinner slowly simmers on the stove and fills our home with a very pleasant aroma, I can't help but smile and get excited to eat.  Years ago my sister in law gave us cookbook that her ward had put together.  Since then we have enjoyed many dinner recipes and delicious desserts found from that cookbook.  One inparticular was a favorite while we were living in Oregon while JBody was attending Chiropractic College.  I completely forgot about this favorite dinner until today while shopping at Costco.  I came across the meats and saw some perfectly packaged pork chops.  I knew exactly what was on the dinner menu: Pork Chop Supper.  And for your dinner enjoyment for another evening I have decided to pass the recipe onto you.  Hope you enjoy!

Pork Chop Supper
6 pork loin chops (If using the ones from costco, use 3 and slice them in half to make them thinner).
1/2 c. flour
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. dried thyme
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 large potatoes (we chose multicolored fingerlings tonight for color)
5 medium carrots, sliced
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
3 c. beef broth

Dredge pork in flour.  Heat oil in  a large skillet; brown the chops on both sides.  Spirinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper.  Peel potatoes (I never do) and cut into cubes; add to skillet along with carrots and onion.  Pour broth over all; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40 to 50 minutes. 

We love this dinner with a nice heaping of applesauce.  Can anyone tell me where the phrase, "Pork chops and applesauce," came from.  I remember hearing it in an old time tv show. 

Picture was taken right before I covered to let simmer, but doesn't it look so yummy?

Thanks Terri for the wonderful cookbook and submitting this oh so delicious recipe.