Thursday, November 4, 2010

Happy Anniversary Hubby!


It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years!! Where does time go? I think about all that has happened in those 10 years and it's almost mind boggling.

~Buying our new house
~Pregancy and Bedrest for 2 months
~Have a beautiful daughter
~Deciding I would become a stay at home mom...yay!
~Re-locating out of state
~Selling that new house
~Completely hating that decision to relocate....job stunk!
~Death
~Re-locating to another state..loving it!
~Buying another house...that had to be completely updated unfortunately. And completely by us unfortunately.
~Commuting for an hour each way...tough for you.
~Raising two wonderful children...even though our parenting styles are completely different.
~Hormones..ugh for both of us.
~Deciding to Homeschool.
~Staying in love. By the grace of God!

We have made it 10 years!! I can't wait for what the next 10 + have in store for us. I am SO lucky to have married the most patient, loving, caring, almost perfect man I know.  (I still have to remind him to take the trash out, which does drive me crazy.)

But he did surprise me with this little treat at dinner. Just maybe I'll let him slide on forgetting the trash this week.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Menu Plan Monday




Monday ~ Tacos and pineapple (I know.. strange but kids really wanted it)


Tuesday ~ Mesquite Chicken breasts, roasted potatoes, peas


Wednesday ~ Spinach Ravioli (from last week but things really changed last Tuesday)


Thursday ~ Asian night... wontons, Chicken, broccoli over rice (quickly becoming a favorite)

Friday ~ Homemade pizzas

Saturday ~ Marinated pork tenderloin, perogies, butter beans

Sunday - Homemade beef stroganoff, corn

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

My Daybook

 
October 12, 2010


Outside my window...sunny and cool.  We are in the midst of wonderful Fall 60 degree weather. :)  The sweatshirt and blankets are out. 

I am thinking....about saving money.  As usual!  Sometimes I wish I didn't HAVE to but the reality is I do.  

I am thankful for....the love of my family.  No matter what.

From the learning rooms....The days continue to be SO wonderful.   Sophie continues to love learning at home. (and I do too!)   The smiles are abundant!! 

From the kitchen.... I crave warm, comfort food this time of the year. I am on the search for more new recipes. And we have really been enjoying cooking Apple Crisp very often with all the apples we picked while my brother was here. Yum!!

I am wearing.... Fuzzy pink pj pants and a sweatshirt. It's only 45 degrees right now. Brrr.

I am creating.... New arrangements for my mantle.   Pictures to follow.

I am going... to a work dinner with hubby tonight. And I have NO idea what am I going to wear?  I don't have very many "going out to dinner with hubby's work" outfits. The Stress!

I am reading... I have to confess....I am not reading anything but magazines and blogs right now.

I am hoping...that I can get my son to realize the importance of studying for a test.  I am getting very tired of hearing me repeat myself.

I am hearing....enjoying Silence (for a few more minutes at least).

Around the house....Dave started painting the exterior of the house.  The back side was finished yesterday (except for the trim that is).  Then it rained a little last night, which was not forecasted.   Sure hoping it is still okay. 

One of my favorite things....the smells of Fall.  Cinnamon or pumpkin candles are going in our house daily. 

A few plans for the rest of the week....3 Football games and gymnastics.  Other than that I think we will try to take it easy.  Except for maybe raking of the leaves and acorns that are creeping up on us very quick. Forgot about that :)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...







My "Daybook" is part of The Simple Woman's Daybook"

Monday, October 11, 2010

Menu Plan Monday





Whew! Where have the days gone. Sorry I have been missing for the past 2 weeks. We had a wondeful 5 day visit with my brother and his family from the 29th- Oct 4th . And then a day in between another 5 day great visit from Nanna (from Oct 6th -yesterday) . It's been busy, busy entertaining around here. I thought for sure I could stay caught up with posting but I failed miserably at that :) Now it's back to reality time.


Monday ~Leftovers


Tuesday ~Spinach Ravioli for the kiddos...mom and dad have a dinner at dad's work :)


Wednesday ~ Chicken casserole. Made in the afternoon to reheat after Football game and gymnastics.


Thursday ~ Chicken and Spinach with Feta Cream sauce over penne pasta


Friday ~ Homemade pizzas

Saturday
~ Chicken Parmesan (with hubbies homemade marinara..yummy, yummy)


Sunday - Asian night. Chicken, broccoli over rice and wontons

Monday, September 27, 2010

Me and My Sweet Husband


We were visiting my Mother-in-law this weekend for my nephew's 8th birthday and I found this picture of me and Dave. (I had to scan it..that's why the quality is pretty bad) You know how you find pictures that just makes you smile!! This is one of those for me!

Menu Plan Monday


We have a great week ahead of us this week!!  My brother, sister-in-law and niece are coming to visit from NC from Wednesday - Monday and we are SO excited.  We have lots to look forward to.   Including blowing the budget!!!   They have come every Fall for 3 years to enjoy some New England fun.  We do have our standard 3 football games...tonight, Wednesday and Friday's big rival game.   We have a started a tradition of apple picking, pumpkin picking and corn mazing that is the best!!   We are planning on going into Boston on Sunday to the Aquarium and the North End for dinner.  So.... I should have plenty to post about this week :)  Yay!!!



Monday ~ Spaghetti   (was planned for last night but we got home late from Grammy's house and decided to have homemade soup instead from the freezer

Tuesday ~  Tuna Noodle Bake

Wednesday ~Crockpot Chicken and Mushrooms in Red wine sauce served over Penne pasta (ready to eat when we get home with company and football game!

Thursday ~ Grilled Italian Marinated Chicken, Roasted Potatoes and grilled zuccini

Friday ~ Pizza before the big game at 7 pm.

Saturday
~ My brother is a great cook and will want to cook for us one night.  I'm picking this night for him :)

Sunday - Into Boston and dinner in the North End (Little Italy...my fav!!!)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Our Masterpiece!

It finished!!!! Our Masterpiece!!!!  Well....Almost complete.  But we could resist no longer in sharing it with you.  The only thing we have left to do is paint the staircase white.  (and decorate inside the fort of course..little white lights, etc. )  Sophie slept in it last night and LOVES it so much.

It took me exactly a week to complete it.  And I actually didn't work on it on Friday and only about an hour on Saturday painting. It was a blast, exhausting, wonderful, frustrating and I am SO proud of taking it on!!

There were only a couple of issues along the way.  Screwing things together wrong, re-cutting pieces of wood,  running up and down the stairs forgetting things (I lost count at 157, 942) .   The biggest  was the back side NOT wanting to fit up our staircase.  And that was a big one!   I was almost brought to tears.  But scratched the head for a bit, grabbed the saw and cut.   Yes...it was very scary to have to do that.  I didn't want to compromise safety.   But, luckily, it was easy to screw that section where the stairs went back on safe and sound.

For my little princess.....may you have sweet dreams in your castle for many, many nights.


If anyone is interested in getting adventurous, here is where I got the plans.  I actually adjusted to make it fit a full size bed.  (which added 15 inches to the width)  A  little extra calculating of wood, etc.

Ana-White is a very inspiring! There is just no telling what else I may take on.   I'm thinking the farmhouse bed for me and hubby! What do ya think?

http://ana-white.com/2010/09/easy-playhouse-loft-bed-with-storage-stairs.html

Menu Plan Monday


This week is going to be easy cooking week. We have 3 football games. It gets kind of crazy.   My son plays on the Sophomore and JV team (and has to dress for the Varsity game on Friday nights too)  Soooo....today and Thursday we won't get home until around 6:30.  I cook everything after lunch and then just have to warm it when we get in after the game :) 

Monday ~ Whole Roasted Chicken, Rice Pilaf and carrot sticks (early prep)

Tuesday ~ Grilled Chicken, Roasted Potatoes and peas.  (a weekly favorite)

Wednesday ~Asian Night - Chicken and Broccoli, Potstickers and rice

Thursday ~ Beef Stroganoff (early prep)

Friday ~ Homemade Pizza

Saturday
~  Going to Grandma's for a family picnic:)

Sunday - Spaghetti

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Woodworking for Girls is the Rave

Just thought I would give you a quick update (and a few more pics) of the progress we are making on our masterpiece.  Any guesses?  

We are having such a fun time. (I can't say that enough.)  We have learned SO much.  Planning, reading plans, measuring, what a pocket hole is, sawing (mom of course),  and oh yea, sore muscles. 

So, we are headed back to our favorite place Home Depot for more screws, trim wood and paint today. We are getting so close!!!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

My Daybook

 
SEPTEMBER 14, 2010


Outside my window...cloudy and gray right now. We are having a lot cooler weather this week. Yay for Fall and crisp cool days! I don't think it's going to get over 70 until Friday.:)

I am thinking...how much fun I am having starting a "huge" new project with Sophie.  I'm calling it "Woodworking Class for Girls".  Just me and her!  No man help (except to move it into the house when ready). Power tools and all!!  More pictures to come....

I am thankful for....for having a happy, healthy family.

From the learning rooms....We have had several "Ah-Ha" moments this past week and I can't tell you how special it feels to witness it. This is what I pictured it being like. Math and Reading have especially been amazing!

From the kitchen.... Not too much going on here this week. Since we started our new project, I want to spend as little time in hear as possible this week.

I am wearing.... Black yoga pants and a gray t-shirt. Usually my attire in the Fall.

I am creating.... A masterpiece for Sophie's room. We can't wait to see it completed. She is thrilled beyond belief.

I am going... to Home Depot again today probably. I think they are getting to know us by name there :) Thank goodness it is only 3 miles away.

I am reading... "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" (with my teenage son)....still.  Does all my blog reading count for this too? :)

I am hoping... that my neighbor's mother is well soon. They are extremely close and I hate to see her sad.

I am hearing....My daughter watching TV.

Around the house....The house is scrapped and powerwashed and all of the paint is purchased. Hubby was very busy this weekend. Now we just have to wait 3 days for it to dry. Of course it's supposed to rain on the 3rd day. This will be the fun part..waiting for the weather to cooperate. I have a feeling I might still be talking about painting for a while.

One of my favorite things.... Getting into my cozy bed at night, taking a deep breathe and reminding myself how blessed I am.

A few plans for the rest of the week....After we finish our schoolwork each day, Sophie and I will continue working on our BIG project.  We have football games Wed. and Friday.  And a very big birthday this weekend that I will be getting ready for as well.  My baby is turning 15!!  I simply can not believe it.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing





My "Daybook" is part of The Simple Woman's Daybook"

Monday, September 13, 2010

Menu Plan Monday


Monday ~ BBQ Chicken, Perogies, Peas

Tuesday ~ Ravoli with Turkey Italian sausage and salad (from last week that didn't get made. It was leftovers that night. I sometimes forget how nice it is to have those. :)

Wednesday ~ Homemade Chicken Vegatable soup with alphabet pasta (made a new batch yesterday!)

Thursday ~ Chicken in Pesto Sauce

Friday ~ Grilled Marinate Italian Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli

Saturday ~ Homemade Pizza

Sunday ~ Country Style Steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, butter beans (one of my favorite southern meals) Maybe I'll just make sweet tea to go with it :)

Friday, September 10, 2010

A Weekend of Family Fun in Maine

We spent a beautiful Labor Day Weekend camping. Now some (like my husband and daughter) absolutely LOVE camping. My son can take it or leave it at this point in his teenage days. And Mom...not so much liking camping. I love every minute of enjoying being with my family with no interruptions whatsoever. I love the gorgeous area where we were in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It is stunning! I love hanging by the campfire roasting marshmallows and talking and laughing. But that is it!! When the time comes to go to sleep in that tent, I cringe. Going to the potty...yep that stinks. (even thought this time we actually had a bath house but it was down the street)

But I do it because I know that it makes my hubby SO happy. The true outdoorsman that he is :) To top it off...mom is the only one who got a horrible case of poison ivy! Go figure. I finally had to break down and go to the doctor this afternoon. I am not a pretty sight :) Thank goodness for Prednisone right now. Oh and hubby is not asking to go camping any time soon......

















Sophie loving on Maggie dog. (I think she is the culprit of the poison ivy) Note to self....Do NOT let the dog in your tent to lay down after she walks in the woods.


Me and Soph hanging at beautiful Reid State park. We have so much fun exploring the tide pools and climbing on the rocky coast.


Finding Starfish is always one of our favorite things to do. We were about to give up when Dad found one. yay!


Hubby and Maggie hiking the rocks.




Walking around Boothbay Harbor for dinner. If you have never visited Maine, you should put it on your list of things to do.


One of the highlights of the weekend was the kids doing a ropes course together. It was the perfect bonding opportunity for them.



Brave girl taking her first steps out.   She was very excited but did hit a little road block (ie little scared meltdown) about half way through the highest spot.   I was so proud of Hunter coaxing her along and telling her it was OK. He doesn't always have the most patience with little sister.




All in all, it was a fun family trip full of great memories. (except for the sleeping part) If only we could win the lottery and buy one of those humongous RV's...now that is camping :)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

My Daybook

 
SEPTEMBER 7, 2010


Outside my window...cloudy and gray right now.  We have had gorgeous weather all weekend.  Today is going to get a lot warmer (but just for a day)  Then back to the 70's...my favorite.

I am thinking...about getting back into the swing of things after a long weekend.   I am dragging this morning and have SO many things to do after being away this weekend.  Feeling a little overwhelmed with housework, grocery shopping, running errands, etc. that need to be done later today. 

I am thankful for....sleeping in my bed last night! I can't remember sleeping that great in such a long time. That's what sleeping (or actually not sleeping) in a tent for 2 nights on a leaky air mattress with monkey (my daughter), my hubby and a dog will do for you :)

From the learning rooms...It's another short week.  We will be doing our first Science project making our own Solar system. 

From the kitchen...I am going to make a huge pot of our favorite Chicken and vegatable soup this weekend. We finished the last of it last night and it is so nice to have it there on our sports nights to grab quick.

I am wearing...Gray jammies. I wish I could stay in them all day actually.

I am creating.... Our first knitted scarf. (with Sophie's help) My husband asked me this morning how long it takes people before they get really good at knitting. Hmmmm....what's he saying?

I am going... to remind myself how lucky I feel.  We are all healthy and full of love and I can't think of anything better than that. 

I am reading... "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" (with my teenage son).

I am hoping... That I can get my son a new cell phone today for not so much money out of pocket. His was stepped on last night in the locker room by a heavy cleated friend. The screen was crushed  :( 

I am hearing....my husband vacuum for me! He is the best!  Did he just read my mind about being overwhelmed with housework or what? He does love to vacuum thankfully.

Around the house...We started scraping paint this week. UGH...is about all I can muster about that. It's going to be a very long process getting this house painted. But my father in law was right when he said..."just start". So we did.

One of my favorite things... Being with my family. We had such a wonderful time together this weekend. Just being together. It is so easy to get caught up in life and it was so great to sit around the campfire and talk and laugh and be very silly. I feel so blessed.

A few plans for the rest of the week....this week will be very busy. My husband starts his Fall season tomorrow which means not getting home until 8 pm for him for about 6 weeks. We also have 3 football games a week now starting last night. Even though they are busy days, they are great days!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Our home for the weekend.  It was a beautiful place with a beautiful view.  If I could only replace those tents with a nice little camper with beds....mommy would be a extra happy girl.



My "Daybook" is part of The Simple Woman's Daybook"

Menu Plan Monday


Well my Menu Plan Monday has become a Tuesday morning one this week :) We had a plan to go camping this past weekend (Sat- Mon) but I really thought that Hurricane Earl was going to mess up the plan. Luckily, it didn't...for my husband and kids anyway. Me, I really do not like sleeping in a tent. Really don't! But I do it every now and then because I know they love it SO much. It was a beautiful weekend and we did have a great time. (except for the sleeping part) We got home yesterday in time to unpack and relax for a few minutes before heading to my son's JV football game at 4.  I have not been as tired as I was last night in a very long time.  I was in bed at 8:30 and it was wonderful!

So, here is our plan for this week: (Italian week for sure)

Monday (last night)~ Homemade Chicken and Vegatable soup (thank goodness for frozen soup stash)

Tuesday ~ Marinated Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Potatoes and Zuccini

Wednesday ~ (Crockpot) Chicken & Mushroom in Wine Sauce with Penne pasta(I am going to try to find this recipe online to share with you because it is SO yummy)

Thursday ~ Ravioli with Italian Sausage and Salad

Friday ~ Homemade Pizza

Saturday ~ Tacos and homemade guacamole

Sunday ~ Paula Deen's yummy Chicken and Rice Casserole This is from last week's plan that didn't get made because of camping :)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Knitting Fun

After about 4 hours of me reading and practicing and swearing persevering, I GOT how to cast on.  Woohoo!  Such a small thing to some but huge for me.

Sophie watched off and on with baited breathe.  "Mom, got it yet?  No honey, not quite yet;"  And then it happened.  She heard the beautiful words to her ears.  "I got it!" Whew.   She was very excited for me to show her!   


She kept trying and trying with such determination. I was expecting her to get a little frustrated. (thinking back to myself of course)



Yay!! "I got it too!" And MUCH faster than me of course. :)




I did move to Step 2....actually a knit stitch too.  Next the purl stitch (I'm even learning the lingo).  Then on to making that first scarf.....

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

My Daybook

 
AUGUST 31, 2010

Another first for me today!  My first' Daybook" as part of The Simple Woman's Daybook" blog.  I have been reading other Daybooks on some of the blogs I follow and am SO excited to take part in it as well. 

Outside my window...It's going to be 95 degrees today.  (and tomorrow and Thursday actually) Ouch! We are definitely not used to that this time of the year.

I am thinking...about Hurricane Earl approaching and wondering when we should call and cancel our camping trip for this weekend. 

I am thankful for...my husband being home today.  He is off the rest of the week. (Well he has to go in tomorrow for a meeting but that's it).  It's so nice to have him hanging around with us.

From the learning rooms...Day 4 of homeschool.  We are LOVING it.  Oh...and of course more knitting practice.  An hour yesterday and only about 8 castings done.  Wish me luck :)

From the kitchen...I am really in need of some new recipes.  I reach a point every so often that I get very bored with cooking the same things.

I am wearing...my pink jammies still.  I tend to stay in them longer and longer.

I am creating...a new schedule for myself to help balance my time on the computer with my life.  The one I creating a few weeks ago is still not working for me.  I think I am going to have to get up earlier to get a few extra things done.  Right now it's 5:45 am so maybe I'll shoot for 5 instead and see if I can still function by 7 pm. 

I am going...to start prepping parts of our exterior for painting.  It is a project that has been nagging at us to start and it's such a big, overwhelming job that we don't even know where to start.  

I am reading... "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" (with my teenage son)  It was given to him for his 13th birthday from his Uncle but I didn't think it was appropriate until now.

I am hoping...that my Mother-in-law feels better very soon.  She found out yesterday that what she thought was poison ivy (as well as the emergency room on Sat) turned out to be Shingles.  Poor thing is in a lot of pain. 

I am hearing...silence as we wait for my daughter to wake up.

Around the house...I really need to schedule to have the carpets cleaned.  (is that the most random thought or what?)  Signs of summer being tracked in are way too evident.

One of my favorite things...is having dinner on our screened porch every night.  I am not sure why we haven't done it since we moved in but we have thoroughly enjoyed it this summer.  I will definitely miss it when the weather turns cold.

A few plans for the rest of the week....Sophie starts her 2 hour gymnastics class tomorrow night.  She is only used to doing an hour so I'm hoping she loves it.  We also have our very first Homeschooling Group get together on Friday.  Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, they go bowling.  We are looking forward to meeting some new homeschool friends very much.  My son also has his first official Football game of the season at the high school.  I do love football and Fall seasons!  Of course this is only if Earl doesn't ruin it for us.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Monday, August 30, 2010

A Chosen Thing to Learn This Year


As we kicked off our Homeschooling Adventure, I asked Sophie what was one thing she would REALLY like to learn how to do this school year.  And guess what she picked?  Knitting!!  Gulp!

I know absolutely nothing about knitting so this should be a hoot.   But we headed to Walmart this afternoon for a little start-up kit and blue and white yarn.   She is sitting on the couch, as I type, waiting very patiently for me to get to it!  Ha! Stay tuned for pictures of this...it might be really funny  :)

Menu Plan Monday


I am SO excited to participate in my very first Menu Plan Monday on this very new blog!  I have been a dedicated reader of OrgJunkie.com's fun every week.  I absolutely love to find new things to serve the gang here.

Here is our plan for this week:

Monday ~ Grilled Italian marinated Chicken, Roasted potatoes, Broccoli

Tuesday ~ Spaghetti

Wednesday ~ BBQ chicken thighs, Perogies w/ sauteed onions (love Mrs. T's), peas

Thursday ~ Breakfast for dinner--Pancakes and bacon (kids favorite treat!) w/ fruit salad

Friday ~ Homemade pizza

Saturday ~ Turkey burgers, French Fries, Baked Beans and Watermelon

Sunday ~ Paula Deen's yummy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Saturday, August 28, 2010

First Field Trip (of sorts)

We decided to have our first "Field Trip Friday" yesterday.  There is a Conservation area pretty near us that we have always wanted to see so we headed over. 

I was hoping for more than we got unfortuntately.  I was thinking there would be highly marked areas to talk about and, I don't know, just stuff!  There was nothing but paths in the woods :)  Lots of paths in the woods!  I was actually kind of nervous that we might get lost.  Thank goodness DH was off and came with us.

But we tried to make the most of it and get something out it.  So, we picked samples of three different kinds of ferns growing all over the ground.  We are going to make a Nature Journal over the course of the year.  This will be our first addition.

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Beginning of "Our Days Here"

Wow.....here I am at the beginning of my new blog...."Our Days Here".  I have been wanting (seems like forever) to start a personal blog but I have had a fear of where to start for WAY too long.  A fear mainly stemming from my inability to put my thoughts into words :).....and how critical I can be of myself when it comes to writing in general.  I read SO many blogs everyday and am in awe of how so many of you write so eloquently.  Here's hoping I have learned a little. :)

I couldn't think of a better time than now to begin this fun.  We have just started our adventure in Homeschooling, actually just yesterday, my 7 year old daughter.  She attended public Kindergarten and 1st grade last year but it was so evident,  as this school year approached, that homeschooling was the right choice.   We have thought about homeschooling for many years with my son, who is a Sophomore now... but once again I had fear.  Fear of being able to do it.  (I'm probably going to verbalize a lot of my fears now, huh?)  I think the fact that I had a baby when he was in 2nd grade put a lot of that "fear" in me.


We thought about not sending her to Kindergarten and to start homeschooling from the beginning, but we didn't.  Then 1st grade we thought we would see.   But now, knowing the issues with learning last year that she had, all of those fears completely disappeared.  It was wonderful weight lifted off of me actually. Knowing in my heart that this is right!!




We are all SO excited!!  Our first two days went wonderful. (The smile that proves it above) I can only hope that they are all like that, right?  I am going to follow the same calendar as our school district pretty much to make it easier (for now anyway).  I had so much fun picking out her curriculum.   I don't know what I would have done without all the advice and information from the many homeschooling blogs I have found, especially Wierd Unsocialized Homeschoolers, Five J's and The Happy Housewife.  They have made me feel so at ease.

Not only will I write about my experiences with homeschooling but also our life in general.  A life that includes my awesome, most-of-the-time, husband, my wonderful, most-of-the-time, teenage son, my sweet, most-of-the-time, daughter (seeing a pattern here) and too many pets...a silly Rhodesian Ridgeback  (who makes me laugh and furious daily) , 2 furry cats, 2 rats (yes...yuck) and a fish.  Oh...and me...HA!!!  I'm not sure how to explain me....Bargain loving Southern Girl living in New England.  Banker, Realtor turned Stay-at-home Mom and Blogger.   I love my life.  But, no, it is NOT perfect!!  But I wouldn't trade it for anything!

So, here we go!  Welcome to our world....Our Days Here.