Knit one, purl one, knit two, purl two.......

I would love to learn how to knit. A few months ago, I bought a book to teach myself how to knit. I figured out how to cast on and I knitted a few rows but I haven't spent the time and effort to make something. I have spent time on the internet looking at blogs and I stumbled across a blog that was offering a monthly knitting project. So I downloaded the pattern and sent a quick email to my Grandma Miller with the pattern attached. I think she got the hint and headed straight to the knitting store to get some chuncky alpaca yarn!!! And in less than a week, I have this!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Gran!!!!!!

Menu Monday

Monday, Monday ~ Today is Menu Monday. I've been looking for new recipes and this recipe for Pumpkin Pie Crunch was shared with me by one of my employees. It would be great to serve at Thanksgiving or in the fall but I found it equally delicious in the winter!!! My family was a huge fan of this so I thought it was worth sharing. My regret is that I didn't take a picture of my finished dessert. What is your favorite winter recipe?

Pumpkin Pie Crunch

1 yellow cake mix
1 16oz can pumpkin
1 12 oz can cream
3 eggs
1 1/2 C sugar
4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 C chopped pecans
1 C melted butter

Combine pumpkin, cream, eggs, sugar, spice, and salt in a large bowl. Pour in a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix over the mixture and tope with pecans. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake at 350 for 50 - 55 min until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Red Ribbon Week

EHS is celebrating Red Ribbon week! Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug free life. Aubrey's school is having a different theme each day and today is pajama day. Aubrey is wearing a nightgown and eye mask borrowed from her Grandma Taylor :) I think she looks GREAT!! And what a fun way to participate in Red Ribbon week!

Pizza and Puzzles

In June of 2009, Shaun's step-dad had a severe stoke that paralized him on his right side and severely impaired his speech. After a few touch and go weeks back in June, Kenny has made significant improvement while living at the Spring Creek Rehabilitation Center. Tonight I decided to order in pizza at the Rehab Center and have our own little pizza party with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor. When we arrived Grandpa T was in his room sitting in his wheel chair!!! What an awesome thing to see since just a month ago it was a real struggle for him to sit up. He even wheeled himself to the table with a small amount of assistance from Logan. I had such a great time eating delicious LaRosa's pizza and chatting with my kids and in-laws. Of course Elinor had to find something to keep her occupied while the adults had grown up talking time....so she found a puzzle. Grandma T, Elinor, Logan, and I had a fun time getting this Disney puzzle put together. Of course ONE PIECE was missing!!! But we had a fun time talking and laughing together! One other really good thing happened during our visit too. While the nurse was checking Grandpa T's blood sugar, she touched his right arm and he felt pain! You wouldn't really think that pain would be a good thing, but it means that he has some feeling back in his right arm. How awesome is that??? It was fun to be a part of a happy moment at Spring Creek.

Controlling Clutter with itso storage

Last weekend I stopped at Target to look for a TI-84 Plus. This is the EXPENSIVE graphing calculator that Aubrey needed for her math class. Well, I didn't come home with the calculator but I did find a little something to help bring peace and harmony into our home. I found the itso storage line at Target. The Cube with shoe rack works just perfectly for us! We don't have mud room when we enter from the garage into the house so we always had a HUGE pile of shoes right inside the door. I was constantly tripping over shoes and hollering at the kids to take the shoes back to their closets. I can't believe that I have lived here for 3 years without this piece of furniture. I wish I had a before picture of all the shoes on the floor but I will show you how this turned out. I'm wanting to find a mirror to hang on the wall above this unit or maybe a wood shelf to display some pictures. It is really amazing how such a small thing can make me sooooo happy.

The "Domestic Goddess"

I know this will come as a real shock to those who know me well....but...... I planned, grocery shopped, and prepared all of our meals for an entire week! I not only amazed myself but my husband and kids too. Inspired by the Kraft Food and Family magazine, I set out to save money and try some new recipes. Not only did I accomplish my two goals, but I was complimented by my family and as an additional bonus we had more fun times as a family. On Monday we started the week with Smothered Chicken with brown rice http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/smothered-chicken-brown-rice-114146.aspx - We liked this dish and the left overs were even better for lunch on Tuesday! Tuesday we tested the Super Stuffed Potatoes http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/super-stuffed-potatoes-114120.aspx Delicious!!!!
On Wednesday, Logan had a 7th grade football scrimmage so I prepared the Tex-Mex beef and potatoes ahead of time and we just had to bakethe dish when we were ready to eat!!!! VERY VERY good.....we will definately be eating this again. I think I might double this one next time. Check out the Tex-Mex http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/velveeta-tex-mex-beef-potatoes-69173.aspx . On Thursday, I must admit that Shaun gave me some help with the Meatballs with tomato-basil cream sauce. Again, another awesome dish!!! http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/the-best-meatballs-114119.aspx . Friday night we went to the Eaton HS football game and watched them lose to St. Henry so we didn't fix din din at home. However, Saturday morning I started the crock pot lasagna and I also made a Texas Sheet cake!! Can I get a YUM YUM???? http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/slow-cooker-lasagna-114123.aspx . Then tonight, to please the vegetarian, I fixed cheesy chili soup.....yum, yum, yum. http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/cheesy-chili-soup-75566.aspx
Be sure to let me know if you try any of these recipes or if you have some good things for me to try. The key to my cooking happiness is ingredients that I can recognize and find in the store and minimal prep time! A BIG thanks goes out to Kraft Foods for inspiring such a good week and thanks to my family for trying everything.....even the vegetables!!!

Kindergarten ~ August 21, 2009

Elinor started Kindergarten yesterday! Shaun was able to get off work 1 hour early so that he could get her on the bus and take a picture. She is in Mrs. Cottingim's class at Camden Elementary. Elinor's report of the day ~ she played kitchen and made a bunch of friends but can't remember any names!!!!