tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260759872024-03-13T04:49:56.232-07:00Way Out WestLiving my life, loving my boys, and attempting to retain my sanityHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.comBlogger761125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-12146069889487708692013-11-03T08:12:00.000-08:002013-11-03T08:13:39.830-08:00Pumpkin Scones for My Camden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been cold and rainy this weekend, Steve is at drill, and the boys and I are hunkered down here at home, as Camden has been running a fever for three days now, poor boy. Times like these make me want to be in the kitchen, making food for my boys.
Camden hasn't had much of an appetite, but I thought I would make some pumpkin scones for him in hopes of getting him to eat something. Pumpkin scones are his favorite, and we use to be able to get them year-round at Starbucks, until sometime last year, when the powers that be decided they would be a seasonal item. That, along with the fact that they aren't cheap, prompted me to attempt to whip some up that he would like just as much.
I have made scones many times before, and it always bugs me how they spread all over the place and sometimes come out in weird shapes. I have always wanted a Nordicware scone pan, but they are too pricey for me. Imagine my luck the other day when I found one at my local thrift store. The price? $2.65 - - much more to my liking than the $39.99 retail price. Score! I give the pan 5 stars...the scones came out perfectly, and they came out of the pan easily. The recipe I used came from Taste of Home, and can be found <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/moist-pumpkin-scones">here</a>. Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-27076629559018528832013-11-02T09:48:00.005-07:002013-11-02T09:52:53.941-07:00AutumnIt has been quite some time since I have been here. I hinted (ad-nauseum) that I had lost interest in writing here, and I had - - it didn't feel like fun anymore. The whole reason I started writing this blog was to chronicle our every day life so I would be able to look back and remember all of those moments that get lost in the shuffle of time. I have been missing that, so, for myself, I am going to try again. Life has continued to get busier and busier, the older the boys get, and sometimes it seems as though it is hard to remember much of anything! <br />
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October was a rough month for us, from start to finish. I love Halloween but I have to say that I was quite happy to see the month come to a close. We are starting November in style, with fever and sore throats! Camden is spending today "laying low" and I am hopeful that by tomorrow he will be back to feeling well. I have been fighting some sort of cold all week that refuses to amount to much of anything, other than being annoying. This morning, Griffin is saying his throat hurts as well. Hmmm. <br />
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I am having a bunch of trouble with Blogger this morning, but I really don't know if it is Blogger, or the laptop I am borrowing...it is very, very slow. Anyway I had typed up a good three paragraphs, which promptly disappeared, so I will have to save that for another day. Bummer. <br />
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Scout is new to our family since joining us as a 6-week old puppy in July. She is a handful, but I am confident that once she is an adult, she will calm down and be a great pup. We are already noticing her mellowing out a little. "A little" being the key words there. <br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-44446428810270828912013-06-02T09:30:00.001-07:002013-06-02T11:57:55.019-07:00Smoothie Experimentation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend has been a bit of a bust. Steve returned from Cambodia Friday evening - - we were so happy to see him! Unfortunately, he had to get up at 4:00 the next morning, and leave for drill weekend (about 3.5 hours from home). Also, I woke up in the middle of the night, running a fever and experiencing chills and body aches...ugh! It seems that the horrid cold/virus that has been going around finally caught up with me. Of course it happens on a drill weekend! Luckily, my boys are awesome, and they have been very good for me. Camden tends to worry when I am sick, so I have to try to act completely normal, even if I just want to suck my thumb and whimper. I can tell you that it was a challenge, yesterday! So here we are on day two, and with any luck, Steve will be home in about 8 hours. Hooray!</div>
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I have not felt like eating much the last couple of days, so smoothies seemed like the perfect solution. I had been dabbling in them a bit, before getting sick, after reading <a href="http://standinginmyownspace.blogspot.com/2013/05/miracle-smoothie.html" target="_blank">this post</a> on my friend Jen's blog, and also just from a nutritional standpoint. I have had some significant digestive issues for the past few years, which were complicated a little more when I had my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago. Anyway, fruits and veggies are particularly difficult, so I rarely eat them. I was recently reflecting on my diet and kind of realized that it lacks nutritional value for the most part, and I need to figure that out. I did a bunch of reading and found that blended fruits and veggies might be a way to get what I need, so I have been trying out some smoothies.</div>
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I was inspired by Jen's green smoothie, but was a little afraid of the spinach. Not because of the flavor, but because roughage and I do not get along. At all. Anyway, the green smoothie I made contained frozen pineapple, frozen mango, frozen banana, a bit of vanilla soy milk, a dab of vanilla extract, a drizzle of agave nectar, and frozen spinach. I Googled frozen vs. fresh spinach and found that frozen is just fine to use. Plus, it costs less and I don't have to worry about it going bad. This smoothie was absolutely delicious. </div>
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This is my smoothie from this morning - - frozen organic strawberries, frozen banana, vanilla soy milk, and a couple of heaping spoonfuls of vanilla Greek yogurt. This is definitely my favorite right now. </div>
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I have also tried a peanut butter, banana, and soy milk smoothie. If you like peanut butter and banana, you will like it. The flavor is very mild. I think next time I will substitute some of the soy milk with Greek yogurt for a thicker result. </div>
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Does anyone else drink smoothies? What are your favorite combinations? </div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-70642474792324835482013-05-30T20:56:00.000-07:002013-05-30T20:56:22.334-07:00Time Warp<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy has recently taken to getting himself up onto the roof of our house, and then claiming that he has no idea how to get back down. Here, he can be seen sticking his tongue out at me, when I told him he was on his own.</td></tr>
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It has been a long time, and a lot has happened. I would love to catch up, but I wouldn't even know where to start. The school year has ended and I think the boys and I have been breathing a sigh of relief for the past week. Maybe it has been mostly me. This past school year was very challenging for me, as a mom. The pace was frenetic at times, and it was fraught with many obstacles. I am proud of my boys. They both faced some tough times this year, but they came out better for them. They also racked up a lot of accomplishments. They are both wonderful students and hard workers. I love them both more than life itself and as hard as the past few months have been, I would do it a million times over. <br />
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Steve has been in Cambodia for the past few weeks and will be back in Idaho tomorrow. We are all missing him and wanting him back home with us. <br />
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We recently lost one of our chickens. Stella died very suddenly one morning, and I suppose we will never know what happened/why she died. We have added two new girls to our flock - - Lucy and Lola are approximately 14 weeks old, and are currently finding their place. My older hens are pretty docile, but are still keeping the younger girls on a short leash. <br />
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Our bunny is doing great. I just love her. When she moved in with us, her cage sat in our living room so that she could get use to the sounds of our house and of our voices. That was over three months ago, and she is still in the living room. Kiara is a very social bunny, and I think we are afraid she will be too lonely anywhere else. Even Steve, who doesn't really possess that warm-and-fuzzy gene when it comes to animals, has said as much. I can also report that Kiara has a strange affinity for Steve. Why is it that animals are drawn to the person who could take them or leave them? I don't get it! <br />
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Lots of fun things happening for us this summer. 4-H camps, swimming lessons, the Cherry Festival, the Gem County Fair, among other things. I am happy to have my boys home with me. Here's to summer!<br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-18383071570274276302013-03-09T08:53:00.000-08:002013-03-09T08:53:40.455-08:00Saturday - 9:44 a.m.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Workout complete and second cup of coffee in the works</div>
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Sorted laundry waiting to be washed</div>
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Girls squawking in the yard</div>
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This one is under the weather</div>
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This one is busy, cashing in his allotted video game time</div>
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And this one is busy looking cute, because she cannot help herself.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-53606589909650844112013-03-01T16:54:00.002-08:002013-03-01T16:54:41.029-08:00Kiara the Bunny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Most of you know by now that Kiara the Bunny joined our family back on February 15th. She arrived in grand style via courier, traveling from her former home in Los Angeles, California, to our home here in Idaho. She belonged to a childhood friend of mine and his late wife, and she was clearly loved beyond measure. In my last post I kind of ranted against Facebook, but I do have to make note here, that Kiara and how she came to live with us is just one of the many blessings that Facebook has bestowed upon me. So, no, Facebook isn't all bad, is it? </div>
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I was told that Kiara is between 5 and 6 years old, so I would say she is probably elderly, for a bunny. She seems to think that she is a cat. She is extremely social and loves to be talked to. She is very tame, is easy to pick up, and loves to hop around the living room. She is litter box-trained, so she is a very clean girl. She does live in a cage, however, and she has a play pen that she spends most of her time in. We are still in the process of getting to know her, but we do know that she is a nice addition to the family, and we just love her. As you can see in the second picture, she is a pretty round, so we are working on getting a few pounds off her. </div>
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Roy and Smokey still do not know what they think about her. I think she would like them to play with her, but Roy is mostly scared of her, and Smokey is a little more curious than I'd like her to be. I think they are all just trying to get to know each other. </div>
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I feel really lucky that my friend entrusted her to me. I really hope we are caring for her in the way that he hoped we would. We sure do love her!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-2623953442476632052013-02-28T05:57:00.000-08:002013-02-28T05:57:06.259-08:00Facebook Killed My BlogIt finally dawned on me the other day that Facebook killed my blog. I am constantly wondering why I don't write here like I use to, and I really think that is a big reason why. Facebook is quick, easy, and convenient, while sitting down to organize my thoughts isn't. Also, when I post something to Facebook, I feel silly coming here and talking about the same thing. <br />
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The thing is, I started this blog for myself, a long time ago, before Griffin was even born. It was a great way for me to keep track of memories. I love to look back on old posts I wrote - - a lot of it I already have forgotten about. <br />
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I have been feeling really conflicted about Facebook lately. I am pretty sure I won't be deleting my account, but I am going to be making a concerted effort to spend less time there. I think as a stay-at-home mom, it has been an easy way for me to feel "connected" to the outside world, especially when the days get long and the weather makes life isolating. But, how connected are we really, on Facebook? I love seeing pictures that people post, and there are definitely certain people who always make me laugh. That part makes me happy. However, sometimes it all feels like a downer for a whole bunch of reasons. It has been feeling like that a lot lately. <br />
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I have missed a whole bunch of milestones over the past few months...no record of them because I didn't take the time to sit down here and write about them. So, less Facebooking, more Blogging. <br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-18792064661956906612013-02-01T09:26:00.002-08:002013-02-28T05:44:49.835-08:00The Butler's Tray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So...while sick with the flu last week, I discovered the joy of <em>Downton Abbey</em>. I have heard about this show over and over, but had never seen it. I just knew it would be right up my alley, what with my love for all things British and all. Steve and I don't watch a lot of television as far as series go -- in fact, just last week, we started watching <em>30 Rock</em> on Netflix, just as the series was preparing for its series finale. That's how behind the times we are around here! Anyway, perhaps I am the last person on the planet to watch <em>Downton Abbey</em>, but I am happy to say that I am all caught up to the current season, and waiting with baited breath for Sunday evening so I can watch the next episode.</div>
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I can't begin to tell you what I love most about the show - - the scenery, the costumes, the story line...all of it absolutely perfect in my eyes. I will tell you that Mr. Bates is right up there at the top of my list. Lord Grantham's valet is a man of few words, and dashing beyond measure. Oh, how I love that character! </div>
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While lying in bed, watching episode after episode, I kept noticing the butler's trays that were popping up in so many scenes. I kept thinking how familiar it looked. The tray you see above, I found at my local thrift store a few months back (no surprise there), and it usually sits in the center of our dining table. Sometimes I use it for coffee or snacks. Anyway, it is nearly identical to the butler trays on <em>Downton Abbey</em>. I love to obsess over little details like this. Now, of course, I love my little tray all the more. When I bought it, the best detail on the tray was a piece of tape, stuck to the back of it:</div>
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I wish I knew who put it there, nearly 90 years ago, and what the significance of the date is. Things like this always make me think of my 7th grade English teacher, Mrs. Steen. When I was a student in her class so very many years ago, I remember her saying that she loved to be traveling in the car at night, and seeing a light on in a random house. She said she loved to catch a glimpse of a person in a window, and she would wonder about that person, or family...what were the details of their life? I have never forgotten that, and often find myself doing the exact same thing. I also do that with items such as this tray. Who did it belong to? What does that date mean? Was it a prized possession that was cast aside at the end of a life, winding up in a thrift store with piles of other people's former belongings? Whatever the case, I'm so happy to have it in my home now. </div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-59813404913958235922013-01-23T19:46:00.001-08:002013-01-23T19:46:29.772-08:00Misery<div style="text-align: center;">
That flu shot that I kept putting off? Wish I'd gotten it! I had a couple of bad colds around the holidays, which I assumed was the flu because it was around the time that Steve and Griffin had it. I never ran a fever then, like they did, and I just attributed that to my stellar immune system. Turns out those were just little wussy colds that I had, because now I actually have the flu, and I am miserable. Started out over the weekend with an annoying tickle-cough, and a sore throat. Then, I woke up yesterday morning with the full-on body aches, fever, snot, headache, and every other bit of unpleasantness that goes along with it. I seriously cannot recall the last time I have felt so awful. Still running a fever tonight, but I am hoping I will wake up feeling a little better in the a.m.</div>
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I had to post this picture of the Walgreen's knock-off of TheraFlu that Steve got for me yesterday. Seriously, Wal-Flu? That's the only name they could come up with? It makes me laugh every time I see it. Then again, I maxed out the Internet at some point yesterday, so I am bored stiff. I do not like to lay around so I am also going stir-crazy, but alas, I am as weak as a kitten. Thank goodness for Steve - - he has been pulling double-duty and taking care of everything for me. </div>
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Now, please go and get your flu shot!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-86004230237586163872013-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:002013-01-21T05:35:27.238-08:00Thrift Store Chic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think I have mentioned before that I love thrift stores. For some reason, I seem to have a knack for stumbling upon crazy finds of all kinds. One thing I really love to buy at thrift stores is clothes. I know some people are not a fan of this, but I am, because I know that there are treasures galore to be had. I am by no means a fashionista, but I am much better dressed now, than before I began shopping thrift.</div>
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I love, <em>LOVE</em> clothes. I use to love getting dressed up each day for work. However, I have been a homemaker for the past 6+ years, and I will admit that I did spend quite a bit of time trapped in the rut of the stay-at-home mom - - sporting my "uniform" of jeans and t-shirt, not really caring what I looked like. I still wear jeans most days, but I during the summer I like to wear skirts or dresses most of the time. I also love fun tops and sweaters, and I love to get dressed up for church, or a rare night out with Steve.</div>
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The best thing about shopping at thrift stores, in my opinion, is that I dress better now, than I did when I paid full-price for clothes. All of the clothes I use to fantasize about having, I now can have! I know this sounds strange, but it is true. In my experience, there are two brands of clothes that I see in nearly every thrift store I go into, and they are Banana Republic and Ann Taylor Loft -- two of my favorites. About 50% of the time, the items either look brand new, or still have the tags attached. What I want to know is, who <em>ARE</em> all of these people who spend oodles of money on expensive clothing, only to never wear them, and then surrender them to thrift stores?!? Whoever they are, I hope they keep doing it!</div>
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Take yesterday, for example. I have been in need of some new long-sleeved shirts. I purchased the three shirts pictured above from two different thrift stores. I'm pretty sure none of them had ever been worn (I'm getting pretty good at being able to tell!). The shirt on the left is from Target and probably retails for about $10.00. I paid $1.45. The Shirt in the middle is from Banana Republic and retails for $49.50. I paid $3.99. The shirt on the right is from Ann Taylor LOFT and retails for $39.50. I paid $3.95. </div>
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Above is an example of one of my finds with tags still attached. This is a beautiful silk dress from Banana Republic. As you can see, the retail price was $150.00. It was marked at $3.95, but I got 50% off that price, so it was practically free.</div>
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I love slip-on shoes, and couldn't believe my luck when I found these never-worn Cole Haan Nike Air slip-ons. As best I could find, they retail around $130.00. I paid $3.75! I am pretty picky about buying shoes at thrift stores - - they have to look completely new for me to buy them. I cannot believe how many never-worn shoes can be found in thrift stores. </div>
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I absolute LOVE these Aerosole suede boots I found recently. They are so comfortable! They retail for approximately $130.00, and I paid $5.95 for them. Good deal, I'd say!</div>
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Last, but not least...I have wanted a genuine kilt from Scotland for as long as I can remember. You know, the ones with the big kilt pin near the hem? One day, I stopped in at a consignment shop that I love, and stumbled upon the above gem. It is a genuine Lochcarron of Scotland kilt in the Isle of Skye tartan, tags still attached. It was marked $12.95, but was 50% off. Perhaps I was the only person around in the market for a kilt (safe bet). Anyway, when I got home, I had to get right on the Internet and look it up. I knew "real" kilts weren't cheap, but was pretty surprised to learn that this particular one retails for $185.00! </div>
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I have found that since I started making a concerted effort to shop for my clothing at thrift shops, my wardrobe is a lot more varied and a lot less boring. While I am not a "label person" (meaning, could care less what brand of clothes I wear), I <em>love</em> being able to buy clothing that I could never justify buying, much less afford, in real life. </div>
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Happy thrifting, everyone!</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-49649613132483996162013-01-20T09:08:00.000-08:002013-01-23T08:51:46.281-08:00Rosette Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It recently dawned on me that it has been approximately 21 years since I took Wilton cake decorating classes. I use to sell a lot of cakes back then, but haven't done any, except for family, in recent years. Times and styles have changed quite a bit, so I figured that now was as good a time as any to try and teach myself some new methods. One of my favorite types of cakes that I have been seeing a lot of are rosette cakes. I love to look at all the different kinds on Pinterest. I am particularly fond of this Neapolitan version, from <a href="http://iambaker.net/neapolitan-rose-cake-rosette-cake/" target="_blank">I am Baker</a>:</div>
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In the recent issue of <a href="http://www.celebratemag.com/" target="_blank">Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate magazine</a>, there was a recipe and a tutorial for a rosette cake, so I decided to give it a try. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRJqQvSGcEc/UPwdfGNmc1I/AAAAAAAAFMI/kZaMqoBeYxo/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRJqQvSGcEc/UPwdfGNmc1I/AAAAAAAAFMI/kZaMqoBeYxo/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the cake, I used a Pillsbury triple fudge cake mix. I have absolutely no problem with cake mixes. Personally, I think they taste better than scratch cakes. In my experience, I have had a very difficult time finding a scratch recipe that produces a moist cake, while mixes are always moist. In between each layer is Smucker's hot fudge sauce. Once it is assembled, it goes in the freezer for an hour.</div>
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Next comes a thin layer of butter cream. I tinted mine blue, because the boys told me to.</div>
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The rest is easy-peasy. All you need is a pastry bag (I love Wilton disposable bags) and a large star tip. Then, you just cover the whole cake in spirals. I had to fill in a few holes here and there, but mostly it came out fine. I love the end result! I definitely need to practice a few more times before I would consider selling one. I love how many variations there are on this type of cake. </div>
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I was hoping to get a good picture of the inside of the cake, but my lighting was a bit off, and it appears I smashed the cake on the left side. With this particular recipe, I loved the hot fudge between the layers. So good!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-35323451860343929642013-01-01T23:00:00.000-08:002013-01-02T17:59:17.692-08:00A Fresh Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love the start of a new year. I suppose like everyone else, I think of all kinds of things I might want to do differently, things I want to accomplish, things I want to try. I am not much of a resolution-maker (I know myself too well!) but I do spend some time reflecting on the year that has just come to and end, and looking ahead to the new one. <br />
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Lots of great things happened in 2012. It was a busy, busy year, and both boys grew in leaps and bounds. They also faced different challenges. We had lots of fun adventures together. I am excited to think that we are nearly half way through the school year and summer vacation will be upon us before we know it. <br />
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2012 was also a very rough year. It was a long process of working through the aftermath of a difficult deployment, all while trying to keep life running smoothly, as best as we could. I will tell you that it is a very happy time when a deployment comes to an end, but then begins the process of working through the damage that occurred, during it. For me, I am very happy to be putting 2012 behind me, and to march forward with what I learned from it. <br />
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2012 was also the year that I lost my beloved Riley. I have struggled so with his absence, and couldn't get over the depth of grief that I felt. Somewhere in December though, things started to feel lighter, and I am glad for that. I will always miss him, but I am glad not to feel so sad when I think about him now. <br />
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As I mentioned before, I am not a "resolution" type of person, but I do think about goals. I would say that my goal for 2013 is one of health. Over the past couple of years, I have gotten the exercise thing down pretty well, and now I am ready to delve deeper and make even better choices for myself and for my family. I am also aware that strength training needs to come into play for me, but I reeaaallly don't like it so have been avoiding it. 41 is approaching quickly though, and I need to quit making excuses. <br />
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So, here's to 2013 and all that is in store! Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-63828520122432549112012-12-31T05:34:00.000-08:002013-01-02T05:35:27.087-08:00....and a Christmas Change of PlansSeriously? Nothing but illness in this house since Thanksgiving. It started with Steve, passed on to me, then to Griffin, back to me, and then on Christmas Eve, Griff got really sick. The poor kid pretty much forfeited his Christmas vacation to a raging case of influenza. Knock wood, Camden has escaped unscathed, with the exception of a minor cold somewhere in the mix. Now in a few days, I will send my poor boys back to school, where everyone will bring their Christmas Vacation Germs and thus will start another round of sickness. I certainly hope that Griffin's immune system has been charged up a bit, and that Camden will continue to have good health. It is no wonder that right around this time every year, I start longing for spring and the ability to throw the windows open and circulate the air. Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-28737508421437964172012-11-23T06:02:00.000-08:002012-11-23T06:02:08.294-08:00Thanksgiving Change of PlansYesterday started off just as I thought it probably would - - fire blazing in the fire place, kids playing, and I was busy in the kitchen, finishing up things for our Thanksgiving dinner. Steve took the boys down to the river to throw rocks into the water (something they STILL love doing), and then they came back for snacks and to grab their scooters so they could head to the skateboard park and do some scooting. When they came back from that, Steve mentioned that he felt like he was coming down with a chest cold, and I remarked that his voice sounded funny.<br />
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Within about an hour of that conversation, he was running a high fever and was all bundled up and shivering. Poor man! He pretty much stayed in the basement for the rest of the day (this is where all sick people go in our house...kinda like quarantine!), but claimed he would be up for dinner. Around 5 p.m. everything was ready, and Steve appeared - - even put on a nice sweater for the occasion. He made it through about half of his plate but then had to go lay down and sure enough he was burning up again. I felt so bad for him, one, because it stinks to be sick, and two, because I suspect he dragged himself to the table to be nice, because he knew how much time I'd put into dinner. It was very sweet of him, but the food will keep and hopefully tonight we can enjoy it. Mostly I was just glad to have him here. He has been gone for three out of eleven Thanksgivings since we were married, and I definitely like it better when he's here, sick or not. <br />
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When I woke up this morning I snuck downstairs to check on him, and no fever, so we will see what today brings. Now if the little boys and I can just avoid a fever, we'll be in good shape. <br />
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I will admit that when Steve announced he would sleep downstairs last night, I had visions of being able to sprawl out in our bed. It was not to be, however, because Roy and Smokey got wind of this and, while Smokey minded her manners, Roy and all of his nearly 15 lbs. made it mostly impossible for me to move at all last night. He likes to snuggle and he makes no apologies for it. I did manage to squeeze in an episode of Grey's Anatomy on Netflix before turning in though, so all was not lost!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-47349607736473227112012-11-22T05:20:00.003-08:002012-11-22T05:20:57.553-08:00Thanksgiving 2012So...I clearly failed at the "post-every-day-for-a-month" challenge. I actually could have predicted it myself. Lesson learned...don't announce that you are going to post every day for a month and then the pressure won't do you in. As my last few posts will show, I was posting just about anything to throw a post up there, and that isn't fun for me. I have to remember that I started this blog, oh so long ago, to kind of journal what was going on in our lives that I wanted to remember. I don't know if I have simply fallen out of habit of doing that regularly, or if I have just grown tired of it, or if I just don't feel like I am blogging for myself and my family anymore...I can't quite put my finger on it, but it has been a struggle for me over the last year or so. Whether I find my mojo again remains to be seen. <br />
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At the moment, it is <em>early</em> Thanksgiving morning and I am sitting here with Smokey, sipping a cup of coffee. Next stop will be the treadmill for my daily dose of soul-cleansing exercise to get my day started off on the right foot. I took yesterday afternoon to prepare my side dishes of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole ahead of time. All I have left is a pumpkin pie, some biscuits, and the turkey itself. It is just the four of us this year...no grand production to put on at all, so we have some fire wood piled up next to the fire place and will settle in for a relaxing day together. I have to say, I am looking forward to pretty much zero stress. I even used disposable pans for the turkey and sides so I didn't have a lot of cleaning up to do. Brilliant! <br />
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I love to cook but the thing I am most looking forward to is setting the table today. I love choosing place mats, plates, napkins, etc., and then decorating the table. I have an idea of what I will be using today and I hope it all comes together like I am imagining in my head. <br />
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I am thankful for many things in my life. I truly am a very lucky person. I am happy to be spending the day with the three boys who make my life complete. I love them more than words can say. Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-34602933030261418942012-11-11T17:10:00.001-08:002012-11-11T17:10:27.136-08:00Chicken Mystery: Solved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The weather has grown colder in the past couple of weeks, going from around 70 during the day to down around 40. My girls aren't enjoying this recent change, and their egg production has dropped accordingly. Stella, one of my Buff Orpingtons, completely stopped laying. I was concerned for her until I read that some chickens just "take a break" from laying when the weather cools down. We had a couple of warmer days in the middle of all of this coldness, and lo and behold, she produced a couple of eggs. </div>
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Last night, it was bitter cold, and when I let the girls out of their coop this morning, Stella immediately disappeared. I searched the yard high and low but could not find her. Finally, camouflaged by fallen leaves, I found her behind a bush that grows up against our fence. Clearly, she was 'on the nest', so I left her alone. Later, when she announced that she had produced an egg, I went to retrieve it. To my surprise, I found not one egg, but SIX. She is my chicken that prefers to lay eggs in different spots in the yard, rather than in the nesting boxes, like everyone else! Apparently, while I thought she was taking a break, she was laying all along. </div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-9644325126379922192012-11-10T16:58:00.000-08:002012-11-11T16:59:06.889-08:00Devens turns 73<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Last night, we celebrated Dev's 73rd birthday at my in-law's new house, just one street over from where we live. They mostly just came out for the closing, but have managed to tackle a few projects on the new place, too. They will be back out in the spring to get more settled in, which will be great. It was fun getting together for dinner and dessert and nice to have them right down the street. </div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-66460712899580632612012-11-09T12:00:00.000-08:002012-11-11T16:49:53.357-08:00Veteran's Day Assembly<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Each year near Veteran's Day, Cam and Griff's elementary school has a Veteran's Day assembly, and it is just great. The principal speaks at the beginning, and then there are a bunch of music pieces. There is a great turnout for this, and there are lots of veterans in the audience. Griffin told me, "Mom, I almost cried at that assembly because those songs were so beautiful, and one girl in my class DID cry!" Love that little guy!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-72942198728873689892012-11-08T14:16:00.002-08:002012-11-08T14:16:44.059-08:00School Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I spend an hour at Camden and Griffin's school, helping in Camden's classroom. Camden's teacher asked me at the beginning of the year if I could help her with some clerical-type things, and I was glad to have the opportunity. So far, I've spent my time doing lots of little jobs that she just doesn't have the time to do. The best part is, I get a chance to see Camden's class in action. I am continuously amazed at how different elementary school is, from when I was in the fourth grade! I cannot get over the technology that the students have access to, and how it fits so nicely into their school day. </div>
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Sometimes Camden will wave to me when I first get there, and that is about the extent of our interaction. Then, there are days like today, when he comes over to where I am sitting and hugs me. Today he did that five different times. I know one day he will be mortified if I show up in his classroom, so for now I am enjoying ever single minute of it!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-58669126261776240862012-11-07T23:30:00.000-08:002012-11-08T05:39:07.609-08:00My Little Friend in the Basement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S4ya8i8LgM8/UJux9ew0RVI/AAAAAAAAFIc/s1WE4ZcTRwc/s1600/081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S4ya8i8LgM8/UJux9ew0RVI/AAAAAAAAFIc/s1WE4ZcTRwc/s400/081.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When we bought this house from our neighbors six years ago, it came with a lot of stuff. Our neighbors were elderly and moving in with family, and they left a lot of their furniture and some other assorted things behind for us to keep and use, or to get rid of. I remember them asking me if I wanted this treadmill and I am so glad I said yes. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time and am pretty sure the last thing I was thinking about was exercise, so I am impressed with myself that I had the sense to take it. </div>
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Don't think for a second that I gave birth to Griffin and then hopped up on that treadmill. I think I actually piled a bunch of stuff on it, moved it from room to room a few times, ignored it, and then it finally came to live in the spare bedroom. Yes, that is wood paneling and rust-colored shag carpet you see. We are slowly picking away at this house, room by room, but unfortunately for the basement, it is the lowest on our priority list. </div>
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Anyway, about two years ago now I had gallbladder surgery. It was unpleasant to say the least, and it was kind of the grand finale result of a bunch of really annoying health problems I had been having. That, coupled with the fact that turning 40 was looming on the horizon finally gave me some ambition and I started using that treadmill. I have never been a great goal-setter, mostly because I tend to set unrealistic goals, then when I don't attain them, I beat myself up and feel bad. So this time (thanks to some advice from Dr. Oz) I told myself if I used that treadmill for ten minutes each day I would be happy. Ten minutes was totally do-able and before long I was in a regular routine. Soon, ten minutes turned to twenty, and not long after, thirty. </div>
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I go through spells of feeling like I am in a rut, and life's busy-ness gets in the way at times, and I have to adjust coarse. I am currently in a twenty-minute a day phase for a whole host of reasons, but I plan to bump back up to thirty next week. My treadmill is now sixteen years old, and still going strong. I hope I can squeeze a few more years out of her. I'm thankful to have that old thing because it allows me to get some exercise in each day and to feel good. I use to tell myself that I couldn't exercise because I had little kids, or I didn't have the time, or any other reason I could come up with. Now I know that was never true!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-50359823264088376052012-11-06T18:44:00.000-08:002012-11-06T18:44:28.374-08:00Election Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The boys got ready for school early today because they wanted to go vote with me. We did this four years ago as well. They sure have grown a lot since then! </div>
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They were both very interested in what was going on, and they asked a lot of great questions. So glad we got to do this together again!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-33752828820159101222012-11-05T12:20:00.001-08:002012-11-05T12:22:17.846-08:00The Little Free Library: A Neat Idea<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently read an intriguing article about an amazing movement - - <a href="http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/" target="_blank">The Little Free Library</a>. The idea behind it is really simple. Create a small structure with a door that can house some books. Attach it to a post and put it in your yard along with a sign that says, 'Take a book, leave a book'. Essentially, a book exchange. In your own yard!
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>photo: treehugger.com</em></td></tr>
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I love sharing books, and I have a couple of friends who do this with me regularly. I am one of those people who struggle with electronic readers - - I know they are the way of the world now, but nobody will ever convince me that a book...an actual book, can be replaced. </div>
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I also know how important it is to have books in the home. They are so important in promoting early literacy. The sad fact is, many homes do not have books. If parents don't model reading for their children, or if they do not have books for them, it is all the more difficult to spark an interest. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>photo: examiner.com</em></td></tr>
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Right now I am trying to figure out how I might be able to have my own Little Free Library. While paring down my own book collection over the weekend, I even stashed a pile of books I no longer want, thinking that maybe I could really make it happen. For more information, visit The Little Free Library's <a href="http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/" target="_blank">website</a>. Lots of great pictures of the over 2,500 Little Free Libraries in this country (and around the world!). </div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-62391709436567122962012-11-04T23:00:00.000-08:002012-11-05T12:27:24.937-08:00Camden the Acolyte<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My sweet Camden was recently asked if he would like to be trained to be an acolyte at church. He immediately said yes, but when he realized it involved a uniform of sorts, he was even more game. <br />
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An acolyte is the person who lights the altar candles at the beginning of church services, and extinguishes them at the end. I was a bit concerned that Camden would struggle with these duties, only because the boy <em>loves</em> an audience. He proved me wrong, however, as he was all business when it came right down to it. </div>
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As usual, I was a very proud mom today as I watched him. </div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-88969377357592419182012-11-03T06:54:00.000-07:002012-11-03T07:05:52.214-07:00Photo Dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you neglect your blog for an extended period of time, you tend to neglect your photo files, too. At least that's true in my case. As I was sipping coffee, early this morning, I plugged my phone and my camera into my computer and loaded all the pictures that have been trapped there for weeks and weeks. Lots of randomness!</div>
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Harassing the Captain at work</div>
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Kicking back in the Glamper</div>
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First day of school</div>
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First bus ride. This lasted about a week and then both boys decided it wasn't worth leaving for school nearly an hour early, among other things. </div>
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Griff and his best buddies at his 6th birthday party</div>
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Chicken weirdness</div>
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Does anyone recognize this? This is from when I forced all three of my boys to go on the "Small World" ride at Disneyland. </div>
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One of my favorite cupcake displays at the first annual "Cupcake Wars" competition at our local library. It made me want to curl up with a blanket and a book and eat a cupcake.</div>
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My first "messy bun". I have never had long hair before. Why, at age 40, I thought it was a good idea, I'm not sure. However, it is <em>really</em> fun to watch hair-do tutorials on YouTube. </div>
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Double-yolker. I get one of these from my girls every now and again. I am learning that for about every dozen normal eggs I get, I get at least one weird one. Weird-shaped, with bumps, spots, ridges, double yolks, no shell (although that isn't happening anymore)...chicken farming is definitely interesting!</div>
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Roy, because he is my sweet boy. He has turned to me for all of the love and affection that he use to get from Riley, and he has helped in healing my broken heart.</div>
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Camden on the roof. I think the boys were checking on the chimney.<br />
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The boys getting a good look in the baptismal font, after our baptism last weekend. It was made extra special by the fact that the water was from the Jordan river, brought back to the United States in a jar by our pastor's husband, after a trip to Israel in 1997 (back when you could carry liquids on an airplane!). He filtered it and it has been sitting in a cupboard ever since, in hopes that they would use it to baptize a grandchild. Alas, they didn't have any grandchildren, so they used it on us! </div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26075987.post-67206178277706468502012-11-02T23:00:00.000-07:002012-11-03T05:37:26.469-07:00Halloween Recap<div style="text-align: center;">
Halloween snuck up on me a little faster than I would have liked, but the whole school year has been like that so far...time zipping by and before I know it
I am nearly a day late and a dollar short. Ha! In all honesty, I am not really sure what happened to the month of October. I blinked and it was over. Anyway, we had a very busy week of Halloween activity, and I am pretty sure we squeezed every last ounce of fun out of it that we could. </div>
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First up was Downtown Trick-or-Treating. This happened the Saturday before Halloween. Local merchants post signs in their windows if they want to participate (just about everyone did), and kids can go trick-or-treating. A certain merchant made a stink about it last year so it was cancelled (didn't like all the kids milling about her business) but I guess she was the odd man out this year, because it was back on. There was a great turn-out and we had fun. I think it is a great idea for promoting community, and the whole point is to get people out an about, and in the downtown area. </div>
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Next came class parties. I snuck into both Cam and Griff's classrooms so I could snap a few pictures. Griffin's class cracked me up - - they were ultra-obedient and quiet as little mice. They ate their snacks, cleaned up after themselves, and barely said a word. Mrs. Buck has them well-trained.</div>
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Camden's class was more in the partying mood, but then again, they are fourth graders. He was a little disappointed with his costume (Indiana Jones), because he wasn't allowed to wear any of the "good stuff" from his costume to school (bull whip, gun, machete) per the school's 'no weapons' policy. I'm pretty sure he told me it was a 'total bummer'. I think he still looked extremely Indiana Jones-ish. </div>
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Before we set out for trick-or-treating, I made some Jack-o-lantern pizzas and the boys invited their best buddies from the next street over to play and eat pizza. </div>
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Kasey and I managed to take our annual costume photo. I loved her pirate costume! I'm afraid I ran out of time with my costume (it required some mending), so around 5:30 p.m. I settled on the standard witch get-up from my costume stash. I'll have to save the fancy costume for next year.</div>
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Our neighbor Lorie decorates her front porch very elaborately every year, and scares the dickens out of the neighborhood kids. This year, our dear Margaret got in on the fun with her (that's Margaret on the left, Lorie on the right).</div>
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Not to far from our house, there are a couple of houses that seem to be locked in an epic battle of out-doing each other. It is hysterical. The both have the most elaborate set-ups, complete with fog machines, spooky decor, and special effects. This house won hands-down though this year - - if you look closely, you can see that there are actual humans scattered about the yard, doing fire dancing. No joke. They even had a crazy stereo system hooked up to go with the fire dancing spectacular. It will be hard for their neighbors across the street to top that next year. </div>
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Approximately 24 hours after trick-or-treating had ended, Camden and Griffin each suffered an all-out post-Halloween meltdown. I believe it was the mass-quantities of sugar leaving their blood streams. I'm happy to report that they are back to normal now.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05439718281949127886noreply@blogger.com0