A time to weep and a time to laugh

This weekend, we went to the Lutz Goodbye Party. Man, we will miss you guys!


It was such a fun time, THANK YOU, Clement's Family! You did such an awesome job!!!


Lutz, your family has blessed us through the years of knowing you. Don't think that 912 miles (instead of 88 miles!) will separate our friendship!


We love you guys! Have fun and enjoy Lawton in your last weeks!

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to plant and a time to uproot...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance... Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Christmas cookie Contest

It's a little crazy to think about Christmas. I know. But October will be here on Thursday. Our October calendar is cram-packed with activities. Also, I thought I would start buying some cookie ingredients this payday and next payday so I can spread out the cost!!!

I ♥ making & giving Christmas cookies. I have fond memories of my mom baking cookies every day of the Christmas season! I hope to recreate that for my kids!

Last year, I made:
Sugar Cookies & Butter Spritz Cookies
Cinnamon Cookies, Cranberry-White Chocolate Shortbread cookies and Aunt Taryn's Roasted Pecan Clusters
Lemon Cookies
Peanut butter and jelly chocolate cups, Magic Cookie Bars and chocolate covered cherry cookies
Reindeer Nutter Butter Cookies

Leave me a comment on your all time favorite cookie. Leave the recipe if you have it. If you leave me a recipe, I will make sure you're on my cookie-gift list!!

Great State Fair of Oklahoma

But first, some Cameronisms.

He asked, "How do I look?"


"I'm a monkey"


Yesterday started out very rainy but by noon, it was a beautiful day for a trip to the fair.






I thought this one was hilarious! I told Cam to stick his head in the hole; he stuck most of his body and then got STUCK!


Free tractor rides!

A neat sculpture

We found the arts & crafts section this year. Cam got to do spin art, plus there was a neat area to play with magnets, marbles and coloring.

Nice to meet you!

We got in for $4 (went on $2 day, Cam was free) and we each had yummy ice cream cones. We made it out of there spending less than $15!!!

What's Cookin'?

About the only thing growing in our garden this year is the basil. After picking 3 cups full, there is still plenty left!

Throw in some EVOO, cheese, nuts and garlic and have yourself some pesto! Scooped out with an ice cream or cookie scoop and freeze for easy use for up to a year!


Margaret brought bell peppers and tomatoes from a friend's garden. Add the couple jalapenos from our garden and an onion. Drizzle with EVOO, roast in the over for about 30 minutes.


Add some garlic, and blend!

Bren gives my homemade roasted salsa a thumbs up!

And finally, the last of the apples.

Sugar & spice makes everything nice! :-)

Now I have 5 jars of apple pie filling in the freezer, just waiting for an unexpected event or guest!

I ♥ Home Schooling

School is back in full swing. Here are just some highlights from our first month back in session!

Recess:


(in p.j.s!!!)


I looked up one morning, to see Cameron, sitting on the coffee table, reading his dino books!


Art

Math, in the game chair, in pajama pants!

The week, we had a field trip to the Lake Thunderbird Nature Center. Once we entered the park, we had several deer sightings!

The Nature Center is fairly new and very nice! Bren & the guys check out the Oklahoma insects

Cameron liked feeling the fur!

During the presentation, our boys sat nicely together! What a blessing!

We were shown all sorts of animals

Afterwards, we had a picnic lunch with friends by the lake.

What a blessing it is to be with my children and to teach them. Who knew life could be so full!

No Labor This Weekend

Sunday's Plans: Replace the breaks on the Saturn after church.

I asked JC if that could be put off another week so that we could have some fun.

So, we took about a half hour to pack food, chairs and a few other items and we hit the road, heading west.

Our destination: Roman Nose State Park

(No, that is not us! Looked like fun, but we were sticking to our budget! I just thought the pic was nice!)

We had a super relaxing time, hanging out and doing some family bonding!

Cameron played with his stomp rocket

We did a small amount of 'hiking'

Cam's new thing is to show his muscles...ALL THE TIME!

Bren & Dad played a little bit of catch, both baseball & football.

My Guys!

Of course, Cam played in the dirt with his diggers!

It was a beautiful day and even though the sun was warm, it was nice in the shade.

Bren & Dad whittled some sticks so we could roast wienies on the fire. It was fun!

We stayed until after dark. The moon was beautiful on our way home. This pic doesn't do it justice at all!

It was a wonderful, impromptu day of family time. Everyone was tired but happy when we arrived home Sunday evening.

Our Children

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. ~Psalms 127:3

Goodbye August, Hello Fall!

These pictures didn't get featured in "the Blog". But, I thought they should get their day of fame so here they are.








These are some projects I made for gifts. Fun!

This was actually July, right before the Ham's birthday party. It may look cluttered, but it was SO much cleaner than it's been in 2 years! And, we even got the car in for a week or two!

JC ran new wiring and put up these beautiful new lights, to match the light at our front door. So handy!!!

Here he is, scraping paint. A much bigger job than he thought it would be. He did get primer up before Ham's party...way to make the wife happy!

Here's that matching light. He put this up last summer. I painted the front door this summer and put up a fancy-shmancy Uppercase Living expression!

JC worked hard to bring up all his old toys from MIL's basement. Uncle Aaron kindly put it together for JC, in between our visits.

Look how big that toy is!!!

Les, my cousin and I helped our Gramma organize her sewing and crafts. This is what it looked like after we pulled everything out. We got it all out, packed up and put away in 1/2 a day! I'm bummed I didn't get an "after" pic! We used to help Gramma clean when we were kids, so this was fun for me; brought back lots of fond memories.

And, a couple kitchen projects. To save some money, I stuck 2 bags of beans in the crockpot, filled it with water and left it on low over night. The next day, I let it cool and then drained the beans, reserving the liquid. I measure 2 cups into quart sized freezer bags and added some liquid. Put in the freezer so I could have black beans, quick & easy. I got 7 baggies full, so I figure if a can costs .75¢ and a bag costs $1.15, I easily saved $3. Not much, but that adds up!

Also, for a time saver, I took 4 lbs of ground beef and mixed it with eggs, bread crumbs, ketchup and seasonings. Divided it into quarters and made 2 meatloafs and 10 large meatballs and 20 small meatballs. I wrapped the meatloafs and froze them. I froze the meatballs on the cookie sheet and then transferred them into baggies. Now, I'll have 4, quick and easy meals!