Fall Weekend....

We had a great fall fun weekend. Friends from NY and Conn. come up for the weekend. Friday night was supper at the deGroots and Sat. was back to the deGroots for brunch, lunch, and fun activities. Then we all went to the barn for a Halloween party. Lots and lots of great costumes, a haunted house, hayride, fireworks, and great food. A fun time was had by all. Sunday we were all back here at our house for lunch and a small baby shower for Dave and Sandy. The dads took the kids for a nice walk in the woods. Everyone was exausted by Sunday but we look forward to next year!!!

Cake....

You Are a Red Velvet Cake

Rich, decadent, and sensual. You have a deep appeal that transcends all trends. You are the definition of passion: intense, adventurous, and seductive.

What Kind of Cake Are You?

Ava's Class...

Crazy, Crazy day!

What a day!!!! It all started when I woke up late as in thirty minutes before Ellie is suppose to walk out the door. I had made cinnamon rolls the night before and was wanting to cook them for breakfast. So, I jumped out of the bed and started running down the stairs to turn the oven on. Well, on the stairs where a pair of shoes and I slipped and started bouncing down on my bottom. I did catch myself on the railing and got my breath. I turned the oven on and quickly ran upstairs and took a shower and raced back down to get the rolls in and back up I ran. Girls get up and get dressed we have got to go!!!! Girls, "I don't want to get ready, I want to relax first!" Ughhh! Of course this morning we were to take Brad to work!!! I call Jody to find out what time the bus comes to their house and I think we can make it. So we all get ready and the rolls are done just in time to run out the door and eat them in the car. We get Brad to work and Ellie on the bus! phew... Then it was getting Ava to school and meet Jody at the school to go and get paper goods at Sam's Club for the Fall weekend that we are hosting this coming weekend. We had to be back by 11:30 for my tennis class, so we went nice and early. We get to Sam's and they don't open until ten! So off to Old Navy to shop!:) We made it back to Sam's and had a successful trip. One positive of the day! I made it to class a little late but just in time for some good instructions and then all the problems, again!!!! We have a tennis match on Wednesday and I got the food arranged, the list all made, and everything organized. I come home to a message that the other team can't play this week. They want to reschedule. Off to the club I go to see what I can do and I am able to get a court time next week. I call the the other team to see if that would work for them. And I get the answer, "well, that is our practice time so I will have to see and will get back in touch with you tonight" I couldn't believe it!!! I am still waiting to hear from them as of ten thirty pm tonight! Mind you during all of this I have to call all of my teammates and check to see if the time frame works for them. All so crazy! I didn't really sign up for all of this non-sense. Back home I go to get Ellie and Breanna off the bus and I walk into the house and find that my oven has been on since this morning! A little scary. And I recieve a call from the school saying the Ellie and Breanna had been in the office about the bus dropping them off at Bonnie's. Well, I had told Ellie that but changed my mind without telling her and I guess the school also, called Bonnie. I did get them off at the regular bus stop and they weren't any to happy. Then it was off to the barn for Halloween decorating. A lot of work but well worth it all. I am glad that my day ended with satisfaction. Wish you could all join us this weekend but we will be posting pictures.

A nice fall day....

The Chiquita

La Cucaracha

The Charleston

Fall colors out the back door

OK....OK

I will post my results..... I just don't know if it really is me....I love to cook and I don't consider myself a plain eater but maybe I have a lot to learn about me....Well, I do love breakfast!

You Are Cereal

Playful and lighthearted, breakfast is likely your favorite meal of the day. (In fact, you're probably the type who sneaks cereal as a midnight snack.) Your culinary skills are probably a bit lacking... and you are a sucker for junk food. Some people accuse you of eating like a kid, but you prefer to think of yourself as low maintenance.

What Kind of Breakfast Are You?

Music addition...

Brad has made another addition to the blog for me. The Celtic Women and a few of their songs. We went to see them last spring and really enjoyed their vocal talent. They are amazing to see perform. And...the Laughing Policeman is a favorite to the girls. Ellie told Brad that he should put that on the blog as the background music. Enjoy

Thanks Brad!

Thanks for all the hard work on the blog. I had wanted a change and saw a template that I liked but it wasn't compatible with blogspot so he spent hours 'custom' making one for me.

Shelley

Recipes to share!

I have a couple of recipes that I would like to share with everyone. One is the Best Ever Banana Muffins. I got this recipe from Janice. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Ava begs for me to make more as soon as we have eaten the last muffin. The other is Pumpkin Pancakes. The girls really like these a lot and we have them during the fall and winter months.

Best Ever Banana Muffins
3 large bananas
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup butter (I use the real thing)
1egg
vanilla
__________
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup choc. chips-- mix dry ingredients together and then add to the rest

350 for 15-18 mins. makes a dozen

Stonewall Kitchen's Pumpkin Pancakes
2 c. flour
2 T. brown sugar
1 T baking powder
1 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 t. salt
1 3/4 c milk
1/2 c. canned pumpkin
1 large egg
2 T. veg. oil

Combine dry ingredients and mix with wire whisk: set aside. In a large bowl, beat milk. pumpkin, egg and oil. Gradually add the dry ingredients. The batter will be lumpy.

Cook on griddle and serve warm.

We enjoy these with fresh whipped cream, maple syrup, and fresh fruit (blueberries, bananas, and strawberries are out favorite)
Also, I make Pumpkin Bread with the remaining pumpkin

Enjoy----Shelley

The Pumpkin Festival!

We had the Big Pumpkin Festival this past weekend. It is always a fun event here in our small town. It was unseasonably warm this year. We usually are wearing our fall clothes and enjoy chowder and cider at the festival. This year we were wearing short sleeves and it was so hot that the fire department let the kids play with the fire hose. Janice, Bella, David and Kate joined us for the day and of course, all those around were also at the festival. Bella then had a sleepover with the girls and they enjoyed their time together.

Mom just doesn't get it....

We went to Ellie's open house on Wednesday night and it was nice to see what she is learning but... I was told by the teacher that Ellie said " Mom doesn't know how to do this math because she is from GA but my dad can do it because he went to this school and is from here!" Well... the story behind that is.... They are doing this math program called Everyday Math and you learn 3 different ways to do each objective. One night she was not understanding her math homework and I guess I wasn't doing a good job at explaining. Brad was able to teach her in 2 mins. and of course I was called into the room to show me how she picked up his explanation so quickly.

You just never know what they will say....


Oh... and another Ellie saying today in the car...

Ellie and Ava were talking in the car and Ava told Ellie that on the first day of school a girl "cut" her in line on the slide. Ellie said "Well, Ava I am seven so I am older than her and it if she does that again you tell her that I will come and tell her not to do that, Ok Ava" Ava-"OK"

A big sister taking up for her sister--she really does love and care about her!

Now was I to respond to that or just let it go?

Shiloh Elizabeth

Duane and Andrea had their baby yesterday and the girls and I went to see her today. She is perfect.

Travel to....

Rome...we will have to join you (Laydens) in Rome!!!!

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city soul with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian people - could life get any better?

What City Do You Belong In?

Not a Texan!!!

Actually, this is pretty sad!

You Are 16% Texas

Damn Yankee! You think the sun comes up just to hear you crow.

How Texas Are You?

Apple Picking!!!!

We went apple picking and through a corn maze at an apple orchard today. The maze was actually difficult to get through. We all enjoyed the nice fall day!

A fun filled weekend.....

We had a great weekend with a lot of activities and parties. It was Paxton's 4th birthday on Friday night and then Breanna came over for a sleepover. On Sat. we had Calista's 5th birthday party. In the afternoon five couples went out on our bikes for a cruise. No pictures of that but it was a lot of fun. On Sunday we went to the Deerfield fair with the girls. This is quite the fair.....