"Christmas is coming the GOOSE is getting fat.... Please put a penny in the old mans hat."

Did your mother sing you that song as Christmas was approaching? Mine certainly did, and now I am singing it too!

I have been looking for a few educational and inspiring toys for Ryan for Christmas.. Here are a few finds.

1. MARBLES- SO pretty, so simple. I think Ryan would love a set of marbles under the tree.

2. Nesting blocks. These wooden blocks made in Germany have so much charm. They are colorful, they are beautiful, you can stack them, make castles, nest them,put things in them, endless possibilities!

{you can find both of these toys here}

3. This book: The little yellow leaf, by Carin Berger. I juts love the Illustrations and we need some new books around here.

4. AND this book, Rosie's walk. A vintage book {with vintage illustrations} and a funny story!

{if I have to read them, I might as well enjoy them too}

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I am grateful for my warm bed, a free country, good food, transportation, prayer, and a family to share it with!

I made a pecan pie, a jello salad, I am attempting cheesecake pops right now. Jamie is playing in a Turkey Bowl, Ryan is sleeping, the house is clean and quiet. I am watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, just like I have every year since I was small.. I love this day!

I am grateful for all of you too! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Today I am thankful for music, all sorts, the fast and dancing kind, the lovey dovey kind and especially the touch your spirit type that I use when I need a little me time. Music makes everything better, weddings, movies, and car rides. Music also reminds me of the past and sometimes takes me way back in the day.
I think it would be cute to use these on a kids table!
{Rice Krispy Turkeys. Have the kids assemble while the Turkey is cooking!}
use mini m&ms,candy corn,marsh mellows,froot loops, mike and ikes or any other gummys

Our Family

{Jamie, Ryan and Emily}

Wedding

Sara and Patrick
November 22nd 2008

{the cute couple}

It was a perfect day. My sister Sara was married, those we love were there, the ceremony was beautiful. The food and atmosphere were fabulous and we all had a lovely time! Congratulations to the both of you!

{The bride and her baby brother}

{my sister cass and i}

{ryan in time out for running away sigh... once again}

{jamie and ryan in front of the temple}

{my beautiful sisters, rae,britt and cass}

{our other family...the ericksons}

{jamie and jer}

{cass and mark}

{mom and her dear friends, joyce and janice}

There will be more pictures to come! {these were from my camera and it was acting up all day}

I am Thankful for my Family { I know it is generic} and that you all know this, but I love them and I am so glad I have Sisters that live in the same state.. I am also Thankful for family dinners where we can sit around the table and discuss what is going on in the world, and any thing else that comes to mind. I am thankful for a husband who works really really hard, and a very busy two year old.

{This setting is from Pottery Barn. I love the rich colors and the golden pears, and why not add a few freshly picked apples.}

I am looking forward to this in just two weeks!

{This will be one of the views from the lake house we are renting in North Carolina. I am looking forward to......taking walks, having Jamie home and relaxed, taking a paddle boat picnic in the middle of the lake, eating at our favorite restaurant {panera bread} for breakfast and lunch, going to a panthers game, doing crafts with my nieces, enjoying a second Thanksgiving with Jamie's family, and taking in this beautiful lake!}

I can't wait!

Today I am thankful that I am living today, and not in a time when there were NO dishwashers and washing machines.. I am grateful for convenience! I am grateful that I don't have to pluck my own chickens for dinner!

I do wish that we all sat around at night an talked instead of always watching TV, or how fun would it be to go dancing at a ball all dressed up, in a time when every man danced.....

You can telI I have watched way to many jane austen movies


{Thanksgiving kids table, complete with turkeys and pilgrims}
{Photo from MSL}

Pie or Turkey?

Pie for sure! I am curious what kind of pie you make for Thanksgiving. I love Pecan, {ok actually I like every kind of pie except mincemeat I think } My mom makes a killer bannana cream pie. We usually have pumpkin and berry too! We are not a big APPLE pie family. What kind of family are you?

{photo from MSL}

Today I am thankful for Friends, I don't know what I do would do without you. You strengthen me, uplift me and make me laugh. Friends are what make life full.....

{These are just spray painted gold pumpkins! Don't they look fab? This would be a great formal setting. I wish I could go right now to Thanksgiving point and buy their china. It kind of looks like this! Photo courtesy of MSL}

How does your two year old photograph?

{Mine is really WiGgLy ...}

ryan, has been keeping us on on our toes! he is full of energy and jumps off of everything. so far we have avoided any broken bones or stitches. { i am crossing my fingers} he jumped off the front porch and it is pretty high. He just went for it with lots of gusto and I admit i almost had a heart attack. {it really wasn't funny} especially when he walked away limping. and what does he do, jump off of it again. I might have smiled then, because he looked so proud of himself.

this experience reminds me of my little brother zak who is serving a mission for the lds church in germany. this is my brother who fell out of the same tree 5 times and really and truly broke the same arm. the incidents stopped as soon as my dad {who reminds me of tim the tool man in his repair skills}, cut down that tree. zak didn't stop there his next climb was our roof and when he went missing, my mom would frequently say check the roof!

i won't even start to tell you about all the mischief jamie got himself into.

i better keep my eye on this kid!

I want to give Thanks for Work. We are blessed to have it and I am grateful every day.

{This table is beautiful! I especially love the tinted glasses and the paper Turkeys}

{photo from MSL}

Giving Thanks

Starting Now until Thanksgiving I want to give thanks each day. We have so much to be grateful for.
I want to give thanks for the gas prices going down! Isn't it great?


How do you set your Thanksgiving Table? Keep tuning in and I'll post more Thanksgiving Table settings.

{ Pears are so pretty! Photo from MSL}

Caramel Apple Cake

{this cake is cut into rounds and drizzled with the sauce a la mode, but you can just serve it in squares drizzled with caramel sauce}

You must try this cake! It is the perfect dessert for the Season. The moist apples in a cinnamon cake, with a rich caramel is almost too good!

Caramel Apple Cake

For Cake:

4 cups diced peeled apples {red Delicious or any sweet kind}
2 eggs
2 cups granualted sugar
2 teas cinnamon
½ cup oil
½ cup chopped nut (optional)
2 cups four
1 teas salt
2 tsp baking soda

Put apples in bowl break eggs over apples add wet ingredients, mix

Add dry ingredients

Beat by hand till creamy

Bake in a greased 9x13 for 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until tooth pick comes out clean.

Caramel Sauce

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 TBLS flour
1 cup butter
1 cup cream

Add later 2 tsp vanilla

Heat all ingredients in a medium sauce pan on low heat for 10 minutes while stirring then bring to low boil for 1 minute

Take off heat Add 2 tsp vanilla. Let cool a bit and serve cake with sauce over the top.

Riding Dirty

When Ryan was a baby the song Riding Dirty came out, my sister had the song on her phone and would play it for him. He loved that song. Now he is really riding dirty! On his own 4 wheeler. Jamie brought it home a few weeks ago, he hopped on and knew exactly what to do. I was so surprised!

When my mom took me driving for the first time I ran our huge Suburban over someones lawn. She cursed and I remember walking home. Ryan is a natural! {he sure doesn't get it from me}

Baking with Avery

Ryan baking cookies with his adorable friend Avery. They were so excited and such big helpers!
We made semi sweet,white chocolate oatmeal chippers with cranberries! They took turns pouring in ingredients and licking the spoon!

{Avery loves Ryan even though he has hit her right in the face (more then once). Some kids don't forgive as easily, we love Avery!} And I hope Ryan stops hitting SOON!

Murder Mystery Dinner

Jamie and I have the greatest friends! We were invited to a Murder Mystery Dinner The Night after Halloween. It was so much fun. My friend Heather hosted and did a great job pulling it off. I was Madame Garlique A psychic and floozy{love that word} anyways I brought with me my magic 8 ball to help solve the mystery.. We enjoyed meeting new couples{we only knew the hosts} The food was amazing!

Anyways I wish I had a better picture of the night but alas, this is all I have, but I must say I pulled off looking mysterious!

A playdate

My cute friend Mary came over to work on a project and our Boys are both WILD. It's great because they get along so well. Can you tell?

{mary how cute are they?}

I can't resist!

I love being a mom, in fact I always new it was in my future. I even knew I could handle all the difficult things that come with it. I think it is really easy to tolerate when your child's face looks like this. I had to turn around to keep from laughing.

Last night we decided to try and be real parents. We told Ryan he had to eat one bite of dinner before he could have more milk. Three hours later he was still refusing to take just one bite. I was so close to giving in, thinking my baby must be SO thirsty. And all of a sudden he took a bite. The story ends with three glasses of milk, that's right three and of course a cookie!

Sara's Shower

My sister Sara is getting married on Nov,22nd. We have been planning and enjoying the entire process. My Sisters and Mom and I threw her a Bridal shower on Saturday, and I decided to make the invites.. I love how they turned out!

{I used Martha Stewart Paper and Flowers}

The shower was a huge success, we each made a soup and salad, my mom made the desserts. We served, Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil, Creamy Chicken Noodle and Broccoli Cheese Soups all of which were soooo good!.. My mom made an Apple spice cake with a Caramel sauce. It was delish, I will post the recipe soon.

We visited with old friends and celebrated Sara's upcoming union. We are so happy for her and look forward to the wedding!

October Dinner Group

Caramel Apple Night

Thanks to all who attended and helped with Caramel Apple Night! It was so much fun! Thanks Mary for hosting!




This is the only group picture I have, sorry it is so fuzzy!

Fall Fun

I had so much fun at Into the Woods With my friend Sadie to celebrate her 30th Birthday. We had a wonderful time, we lunched at the Citrus Grill , then headed over to the show at Hale Center Theatre. The production was magical , witty, and colorful! Thanks for joining me for a fun afternoon Sadie!

The following week right before Halloween I went to see THRILLER at Kingsbury with some girlfriends. I loved the dancing, and want to go every year! We had dinner at The PIE Pizzeria and had an awesome girls night out!

Erin and Emily

Stephanie, Kristen, Raquel and Amber

Apple Party

I couldn't resist posting this adorable apple party. I love that it is unisex, I love the simple color palette, I pretty much just love it!

This could be done with any fruit or color. Love the possibilities!

Apples, Cookies, Apple Pie and Ice cream, Simple and Perfect!

{I found this on Design Mom, And the creative person behind this party: Natalie from Imprintables }

A Cold and an Updated Blog

I have a cold and it feels scratchy and stuffy and itchy. Thank goodness I have this little monster to make me smile!

PS: Do any of you have an M&M Floor? I do!