Pizza

So,  the home school co-op group we belong to is having a Thanksgiving potluck next week. Instead of everyone bringing a dish and desert, it was decided to have everyone order some pizza. A very nice mother in our group, Lee, volunteered to gather pizza orders. A mass email was sent out this morning, letting everyone know of the ordering options and also giving out Lee's email address so we could let her know what each family needed and how many.

Evidently there was a typo in Lee's email address because this was the email everyone received later today.




Hi everyone -

I've been receiving a ton of email about pizza. In those emails, I have been referred to as "Lee".

My name is not "Lee" and therefore I believe I am not the person you are looking for. Additionally, I have never met any of you, nor do I understand the "pizza" to which you refer.

You should probably figure out what Lee's email address really is, because unless you do, no one's getting pizza.

Best of luck,

Lyle

Off Day

It has been so long since we had a Saturday with Daddy home

 ALL DAY

that we forgot what to do!

Ian's "Muscle Man" pose

 

The girls became silly with the napkins. 

I forced them to play outside for 30 minutes.

You would think I ordered them to work in the salt mines. 

Oh and, by the way, we had a real babysitter tonight. 

And by real I mean someone not a family friend or family member. 

A complete stranger to the kids. 

And she was amazing. 

They loved her. 

And Daddy and Mommy had four and a half hours together. 

Minus children. 

DO YOU HEAR ME!!!!

Let me repeat that. 

FOUR AND A HALF HOURS.

ALONE. 

And the best part. I came home to children who were fed, bathed, 

played, read to and in bed and a spotless kitchen and living room.

Where has this girl been all my life?

The Boy

We were snuggling in bed before he went to sleep. I was whispering sweet nothings in his ear.

      "I love you more than...puppies!"

he giggles.

      "I love you more than...the moon!"

more giggles

      "I love you more than...orange juice!"

smiles and giggles

      "I love you more than...cheese!"

eyes fly open in shock and he exclaims "No way!!"

Guess I pushed the limit there.

 Either that or even HE knows how much Momma loves her dairy products. 

A Simple Blessing

After a week of sickness, I am grateful that the weather is mild enough so that I can open every window and rid this house of that stale air and smell of sickness.

It really is the small things.

Coffee Break

For the last three years, we have had a piano in our kitchen/dining room. Mainly because there was no where else to put it. A few months ago, I re-arranged the furniture and was able to move the piano to our living room. 

Which gave me a whole blank space to fill up as I wished. 

And presto, the coffee corner was born!

And I have to say, it is my favorite part of the house. 

Here are a few photos showing the (practically) finished product. 

1. I moved the microwave cart over (minus the microwave) and it became counter space. Added baskets underneath for tablecloths, kitchen towels and washcloths, and place mats. 

2. I found these old cobweb shelf brackets at a flea market in Prairie Grove. The shelves are old boards found in my grandpa's barn and painted grey. For an autumn touch, I added fabric leaves from the dollar store. I stuck them on with mounting putty. No muss, no fuss. 

3. The hanging wire basket was found at a flea/vintage/handmade/junk market called the Junk Ranch. This was the first time I attended and despite the cold, blustery weather, found some wonderful pieces (others to come in a later post). 

This wasn't actually for sale but I am a big believer of "You'll never know if you don't ask". I asked and it came home with me. 

4. My sister was going to throw away this stool and I snatched it up before she could change her mind. Add a coat of bright orange spray paint and you hardly recognize it! My rosemary plant was the only herb that showed any growth this summer so to reward it, I gave it a place of honor. Plus, I like the splash of verdant green. 

Project Breakdown

Shelf boards -- Free

Shelf brackets -- $6 apiece

Wire basket -- $5

Stool -- Free

Woven baskets -- $10 from Joann's on sale

Grey paint -- mis-tinted can from Lowe's $2.50

Total cost = $43.50

Finishing touches will be 

*painting the walls, but that includes the whole kitchen so it will be a while.

* a new coffee pot. This one leaks like crazy, thus the towel underneath. But it has served us faithfully for over 5 years, so I don't want to give it a bad rap. It deserves to retire with honor. 

*maybe a striped rug for our feet. That tile is cold on an autumn morning. 

Where is your go-to spot in your home? 

A cozy reading nook?

A comfortable bed with fluffy pillows? 

The back porch on a fall evening?

Leave a comment and let me know. I would love to hear about your favorite places.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Setting the Mood

I have stumbled upon a wonderful new website for music. In that past I have been a Rdio fan but it has been dethroned. Songza is it's name and it is my new love. What I think is brilliant is that they categorize music by mood or activity. For instance, they have music for "Cooking Italian Food" or "Relaxing on the Back Porch". My personal favorite is "Rainy Day Music". It has some great jazz tracks. 

Check it out tonight. It is a fun way to set the tone for the day. 

...and I am not getting paid to say that, by the way. 

10 Things

1. My oldest has informed me that she no longer wants to listen to kiddie song CD's at night. She only wants old radio shows, specifically Jack Benny. My heart is proud. We raised her right.

2. Family is a wonderful thing. I mean that, not in the sappy Hallmark card sense, but in the true can-you-imagine-a-life-alone sense. I am truly thankful for all my family on both sides.

3. The munchkin has started wearing pull-ups. Not because she is potty training, but because I keep finding her on the potty stark naked. Or better yet, I see her come running out naked after "taking care of things". Thus the pull-ups. At least they might cut down on my diaper bill.

4. Shoes are expensive. Way, way too expensive. But they protect a very important part of the body so I guess it is worth it. How do large families do it? I can hardly keep 3 of them in footwear. The 19 Kids and Counting family must spend a small fortune.

5. My Darlin' Man made it home in time for supper tonight. That is an abnormality around here lately. It was wonderful to have a normal, family meal.

6. We should stop to recognize when even a small prayer is answered. I had been feeling weighed down today. We have had a lot on our plate; financially, emotionally, physically. And I had a small melt down. I cried and cried. I was depleted and just needed some ray of hope. I prayed that there would be something positive happening soon! We needed something that is good and comforting, And the above happened. David made it home for supper. A small thing, yes. But a gigantic armful of comfort for a soul that needed it.

7. It has rained since Friday. And it is now Tuesday. You do the math.

8. The boy keeps telling me how "when I am grown up, I will have my own big truck like Daddy and you Momma, you can ride in the carseat in the back 'cause you get smaller as I get bigger." If he only knew how true that will be.

9. My iron has died. It seems like one appliance after another is biting the dust. I predict the can opener will be the next to go. It has been coughing and hacking for months now, but has clung to life so far. When I use it, it sound like a machine gun going off, no exaggeration. But the Grimm Reaper is hovering, I can tell.

10. My Darlin' Man keeps getting more handsome every day. I know he will roll his eyes at this, but it is true.