From the Mouth of Babes

Here is Landen age 2, already "cracking" us up, wearing Mr. Potato heads glasses.

Today after answering Landen's simple question three times, we have the following conversation:

"Landen, I know you understand what I am saying, you are a very smart boy."

"Mom I am very smart at talking, but not so smart at listening.

-I laugh out loud

"Mom, do I crap you up?"

"Yes, son you do."

Book Club

I have been a little bit of a slacker, blogging about my book club. Here is a quick catch up, but I promise to devote a full post to all future meetings. If I can ever weasel the recipes out of there girls, I'll also post some of the fabulous menu items.

Dec. "The Giver" always a great discussion over Tortilla Soup and Corn Pudding
Nov. "The Thirteenth Tale" crazy fascinating book, delightful creamy potato soup and fancy green salad.
Oct. "I Capture the Castle" quirky family, a tiny bit sad, great stuffed bread loaf and another fabulous, fancy green salad.
Sept. "Jane Eyre" a classic must read even good the second time around, great Baked Potato Soup in a bread bowl. (I actually got the soup recipe) will post soon.
Aug. "The Princess Academy" fun easy read, Cucumber sandwiches and Strawberry Salad
July "Twilight" If you haven't read this yet, run out and get it. Lovely bacony tarts and chicken salad croissants.

True Confessions . . .

I have an addiction problem. No sooner had I given up my Diet Coke habit, than my new addiction began to rear its ugly head. Yes, its a kid's computer game. I love U.B. Funkeys. I spend way to much time trying to get trophies and earning coin to decorate my pad. This new obsession combined with my inability to stay up late (due to the lack of caffeine-see Richard's blog for a handy solution to this) has really damaged my blogging productivity.

I share this with you not only for your support in overcoming my new habit, but if you need a great gift for kids age 5-16 the UB Funkey starter set is under $20 at Walmart. The add on funkeys are $5. Sadly we have all the common, available funkeys. If you know how to get your hands on a Glub, Sprout, or Wasabi before Christmas, please contact me immediately.

Christmas Time

We are really feeling in the Christmas spirit this week because we have had so much snow. The kids had a great time making this Texas style snowman.

The kids get into the holiday spirit with a little holiday decor. When I told Landen he needed to wear a shirt, he said "Mom, today I am just going to wear a belly."

Baby Kensley

Baby Kensly arrived as perfect as can be last Tuesday afternoon. Baby and mother are both doing well. Follow the link to see pictures. The password is Ross
http://www.our365.com/webnursery/webnursery/Baby/BabyPageDirect.aspx?CID=0018137632

Farewell my Dear Friend

Yes, it is true. I have given up the juice. I have been dry since Nov. 11, 2007. Wish me luck in my constant battle with my addiction. The more people that know about my commitment, the less likely I will be to sneak a drink, because I will not want to appear weak and embarrass myself.

I knew I had to put a stop to things when I found myself at the door of the church, reaching for the handle with my free hand (the other being almost always occupied holding my 44 ounces of nectar.) Yes, I almost took my soda into sacrament meeting without realizing it! Now I have taken soda into the church building on several occasions, such as Super Saturday and Den Meetings, but I really had to get a grip.

This new development may effect my blogging and other late night computer activities, but I am going to try.

Braxton's Baptism

Braxton was baptised this Saturday. It was a really great day, I was so proud of both Richard and Braxton. I can't believe that half my kids are past baptism age! Brax hates attention, he was a really good sport.

My Eclectic Taste

Richard and I had such a fun time at the Evanescence concert tonight. The Statesman has a suite at the Quest Arena which makes it double fun to go to events. The lead singer really has an amazing voice, so powerful live, and she is an excellent pianist as well. Sick Puppies opened for them and they were real crowd pleasers. Afterwards I was thinking about all the types of music I enjoy and I enjoy such a diverse range of styles, I may be the most eclectic music lover I can think of. Here are some CD's I own:

Christian Contemporary

Classical

Lyrical Rock

Pop Rock

Country

New Age

Adult Contemporary or whatever category Joshie belongs

Retro/Disco whatever

Instrumental

I also like songs by U2, Nickleback, One Republic, The Killers, and Coldplay. Ah yes, and my American Idol

Statesman Halloween Decor

This is a small glimpse of all the cool things they did at Richard's office on Halloween.

Don't you just love Professor Umbridge's office? Where did she find those great cat plates? These are some of the characters from the hall of portraits.

Moaning Myrtle

Lilly Potter

Harry and one of the Dementors unmasked.

For a good laugh

If you haven't checked out my husband's website lately, you really should. He has some really great health tips. http://churd.blogspot.com/

Halloween

Richard's whole office at the newspaper decorates the entire building every year on Halloween. Each department chooses a different theme and the decorate and dress up accordingly. They bring in kids from boys and girls club and all the employee kids to trick or treat. Well I must say that the advertising department ROCKS every year (well at least both years we have been living here.) This year they did Harry Potter! They really transformed the place. When you walked in it was the great hall set to dine with owl hanging from the ceiling. They had a Hogwarts Express with train tracks leading "yikes" to Azkaban! Richards team had set up an Azkaban spook alley and they all dressed up as Dementors. If you escaped safely you got to see the hall of portraits. It was so clever, they set up a screen in front of the salesmen cubicles that looked like a castle wall with picture frames and "windows" where they could look out, and pass out candy. They were all dressed as deceased wizards and witches, my fav was Lily Potter! There was also the hospital wing, and loads of famous witches and wizards milling about. I think I enjoyed it more than the kids! Alas, I was so enchanted that I left my camera in the car in the parking lot, but I am going to try to get a hold of some pictures somehow.

On Halloween I was finally able to coax Rhett into the Tin Man costume I made for Ryker when he was almost 3. I used the same strategy on them both. I convinced them it was a robot costume. I still need to get a good one of him with that hat on. It was really quite adorable.

"Diego's" Halloween party at pre-school the day before Halloween.

Carving pumpkins the Monday before Halloween.

The pumpkin patch the week before Halloween

Me and the boys, at the ward party three weeks before Halloween.

Hazel's Baby Shower

Last Thursday we had a baby shower for little Hazel. It really was so much fun. Richard decided to expedite his painting project and painted my whole kitchen, dining and living rooms while I was at book club on Tuesday night. It is a really warm gold.

I had a lot of fun putting together a name that tune game in which all the titles had the word "baby" in them. I used napster to get all the songs, and only had to play one second of each song, one point of title and one point for artist. Poor Mikelle didn't win a prize try as she might.

The Cottage Dresses up for Halloween

Val and I had fun making these front porch decorations this year. We scavenged the yard of an abandoned old house to find these dead twigs. I used the pot already on my porch and a jack o lantern I have had for years. The pumpkin lights were $2.50 at the dollar spot in Target. Total cost of this darling project $2.50!

Our garage is in the back of the house, so when we come home, it is all we see. Last year I found this cute idea in a magazine and it was worth a repeat this year. Next year think I will flank the door on both sides with some corn husks and pumpkins, maybe add a few bats. The fence is black duct tape and the animals are black foam sheet, cut into shapes. If you try this, be sure to cut the vertical tape at the door joints so the door can flex open easily.

New Halloween Tradition

This was our family night project this week. I had to take a picture quick because the boys wanted to eat it the minute it was finished.

I found some really cute Halloween printables on http://www.familyfun.com/

Sept. Mavens tips

Val-Mint 3 Musketeers and Candy Corn Hershey Kisses, two great new treats.
Jana-This weekend is the Kiddie Kart, huge garage sale of only kids stuff Sat at noon is 1/2 price. Cloverdale to Executive turn right, follow signs.
Julie- Certain Dry sweat eliminator and Hercules Hooks available at Walmart.
Ranell-Clean your microwave by boiling a glass of water to steam and loosen grime then wipe clean.
Tiffany-Put a hold on any book you like from any branch library and they will hold it at Ada County.
Christina-Fall bulbs! Now is the time until the ground freezes. Refrigerate bulbs for at least 2 weeks then plant away in the spring, if you forget. You can buy Skagit Valley tulips online. Don't buy squishy or brown bulbs and pass on the mold. If your water isn't on when they flower, please water or they will die fast.
Mikelle-If you wear your hair in a wet ponytail each day for more than two weeks, you probably need a haircut.
Rebecca-Tillamook Ice Cream is awesome, get it at WinCo. Udderly Chocolate is to die for.
Lisa-To motivate yourself, on a giant wall calender red X each day that you do your "goal." Don't break the chain!

Lillywood Cottage from the inside

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and Richard has offered to paint the whole downstairs. I am so excited, because the only painting done in this house is all upstairs.

The kids bathroom was the first room I painted. I really do love these hooks. The orange washcloth is missing today, but you get the idea.

I drilled these frames and pulled the ribbon through. This is the second room I painted, chocolate brown . . . .

and red. This is the TV room, and Richards pride and joy, the 60 inch baby. I think I need to tone down the white built in, maybe with a wash, or paint it altogether. The trim and crown moulding in this room are white as well. Any suggestions?

I snatched up these tins from "Graples" and lucky for me because a few ladies I know have been looking for them for the past few months and sadly, no floral tins.

This is downstairs in the kitchen. I'm almost decided on a gold paint pulled from the stripe in the valance. I fell love with this wooden m from "The Red Dresser." I think I may have started a collection.

Then I found my new favorite M. It was in a set of four that spelled "HOME." For a month or so I begged the store owners to break up the set and sell me the M. You can imagine their reluctance as this would leave someone with "HOE." Finally they conceded, and smartly so, because my mom bought the O, leaving a much more polite "HE" or "EH." More to come after the big painting frenzy. . .

New and Fun

This darling book was one of my favorite birthday presents this year, though it is hard to compete with my new Jane Austen action figure! I found this book on my birthday date with Richard (dinner, Barnes & Nobel.) It was in the bargain section and really a perfect steal for under $6.

I am full of excitement to try some of the recipes and ideas in the book. It is truly delightful. Autumn is my favorite season. I have an theory that everyone's favorite season is the one that their birthday falls in. Please feel free to support or undermine my theory whichever the case may be.

Now I am excited to check out all the sister books to this little treasure. www.susanbranch.com

Your 80s Hunk Is

Kirk Cameron

Who's" Your 80s Hunk?

Thanks for this quick and funny quiz Megan!

Today's bonus chore was to clean out the beater bar under the vacuum. Val and I have twin Dyson vacuums, hers is yellow and mine is purple. After using hers on cleaning Monday for a few weeks, I had to get my own. We love our vacuums and treat them with TLC.

My recipe today isn't a crock pot recipe, but it is almost as easy. I have these wonderful neighbors who have been to Thailand a bit. They are always making this amazing Thai food and bringing it over to share. Sadly, they are moving to Thailand within the month. So I'm going to have to start cooking my own "curries" as Becky Bloomwood would say. After last weeks super yummy dish, I asked them for the recipe and tonight will be my first time trying it on my own. If anyone is brave enough to visit "The Bangkok Emporium" (or your own local Asian specialty store) and look like a complete idiot asking for help choosing a fish sauce and locating the mouse poop peppers, here's a great recipe for you!

Gaang Kiaw Wann (Sweet Spicy red curry)

• 4 oz red curry paste (I'm using Maesri brand prik khing curry paste)
• 13 oz coconut milk
• 1 lb diced raw chicken breast
• 3 T sugar
• 1/4 c fish sauce
• 8 oz baby corn
• 4 oz water chestnuts
• 4 oz canned bamboo shoots
• 6 lime leaves
• 3-6 mouse poop peppers (new guinea peppers)
• jasmine rice to serve with

Dice and smash the peppers with a mortar. In a large sauce pan bring to a boil milk and curry paste and pepper mash. Stir constantly and don't allow to scorch, blend very well. Add chicken sugar and fish sauce, boil 5 minutes covered. Mix well each time you add ingredients. Add vegetables and leaves and simmer at least 2 minutes. Serve with rice.

My birthday outing with my sisters was really fun. We went to the Cheesecake Factory and I had the crazy carrot cake cheesecake. Then we just shopped and goofed around. Deakan was so adorable at the baby gap, I just had to get a picture. The funniest thing was that we parked at Dillards on one side of the mall and ended up at the Cheesecake Factory after the mall closed. We couldn't cut through the mall and we had to hike all the way around the whole mall parking lot in the dark. Val is "heavily burdened" and at one point I didn't think she was going to make it. The second funniest thing is that we decided to stop by Albertson's because their cereal was $1 a box. So we had like 50 boxes of cereal in the van afterward. We are such MOMS! Party on.

So I love Mondays. I didn't used to, but lately, they are one of my favorite days. I work weekends now, and I really like my job at the hospital taking pictures of the newborns, but now, Mondays seem like sort of a break. I think the real reason I like Monday so much is that it is my most structured day of the week.

Starting about last March, my sister and I decided to clean our houses together. My husband was on the verge of hiring a cleaning service, but I really didn't want to spend our money that way. He agreed to pay me the amount the service had quoted if I promised to keep the house to his standards (and that is a topic for another post.) I am not a very organized person and I knew I had to get some sort of a routine going. I don't remember how we (Val and I)thought of the brilliant idea to work together, but now we call it Team Cleaning. As soon as the kids are off to school Monday morning we start at her house or mine. At our own house we clean all the bathrooms and do all the moping, at our sisters house we do all the vacuuming and dusting. We somehow manage to get both houses sparkling before lunch. Between houses we do a Maverick run for sodas and return any stray library books to the library across the street.

We have also started a bonus chore. We alternate weeks choosing a household job that we are really itching to tackle that is not part of our normal schedule. Today I chose "clean out, wipe down and organize under our kitchen sinks." We do the bonus chore any time before the next week, but I think it works best for me to do it Monday during the baby's nap.

We are often tired after cleaning day so we have started throwing a recipe in the crock-pot before we start. Today I made a Hobo Stew that was so, so easy and all my boys (except my carb-a-tarian) loved it.

We don't do extra activities or have friends over after school on Monday. It is just family night. My kids really like to play board and card games, and it is the one night of the week we have dessert.

My Mondays are very domestic and family oriented, just like me.

This is a good new website I just stumbled across http://organizedhome.com

Hobo Stew

2 C. Barbecue Sauce (we love Jack Daniel's Original #7 Recipe)

4 polish sausages

1 lb Italian style frozen meatballs

2 c. frozen corn

1 c. chopped onion

1c. sliced mushrooms

6 diced potatoes

1 c. baby carrots

Simmer in the Crock Pot for 8 hours on low.

This is not the real stew I made, my camera battery finally died, but you get the idea.

Fall Fun

I have finally decided to post some pictures of my house. Now that school is in session, I have finished some things I wanted to share.

After much thought and indecision, the name of my house instantly stuck me. I live on Lillywood Drive. It was so simple and fitting, I'm surprised I didn't realize it sooner. She is now formally and publicly christened "Lillywood Cottage."

Everyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for fall decor. My favorite thing to get out is always my fall table setting. This picture is a little washed out, but the pumpkins in the centerpiece and on the napkin rings are sparkly and I just love them. I also found some beaded candle rings in fall colors that I added to the chandelier. You can sort of see my coffee table and a few other harvest touches around my main living area. I am always glad I use a lot of green in my decor because it goes so nicely with every season and holiday decor.

There is no formal dining room in this house, but as you can see, the dining area is visible from the front door, so at least everyone can see how cute it is the minute they walk in the house.

Here is the piano all decked out for fall. You see it right when you come into the house. The entryway is to the right, you can see the stairs go up behind the piano. I know, I really need to paint this space a "real color" but you know how long it takes me to decide on that sort of thing. I simply can't be rushed. I did go hog wild on my upstairs paint. I'll post soon!

Landen Goes To Preschool

Landen was so excited to experience preschool this year. I taught out of our home last year, so this was his first time at "real school." Of course he loves it and can't wait to go back. Rhett really wanted to go as well, but we have been enjoying our few mornings a week together. Last Thursday morning I bought the final supplies for a project I have been thinking about for at least 6 months. I can't wait to get it done and show y'all. Maybe during preschool this week?

Here is Landen and Ms. Kathy