8 Things: Halloween

Since Halloween is almost upon us, I thought it would be fun to list the things I love about Halloween for this weeks 8 Things.

1.) The time of year. I love all things fall and Halloween is right smack in the middle of it.
2.) Pumpkins - love, love, love pumpkins! It is just so festive to see pumpkins all over the neighborhood!
3.) Costumes - it is always fun to help the kids think up what they can be for Halloween then to go on the hunt for everything they need to dress up
4.) Decorating the house - any chance to mix things up a bit and get in the spirit! We go for more of a fall look then a spooky one around here :)
5.) Pumpkin goodies - pumpkin seeds, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, etc...Yum!
6.) Adventure - I love seeing my kids go out with adventure in their eyes and a smile on their face.
7.) Little visitors - so much fun seeing all the kids at my door (especially the littlest ones!)
8.) Candy - sitting with the kids while they dump out the goods and show me all the "loot" then sampling a few of my favorites (heath bars and twix)

Hope you enjoy Halloween this year :)

Best Shot Monday - 10/26/09

One of the new smaller trees in our front yard. I was so happy to see that it turned a beautiful fall color! Richmond is just bursting with color right now and it is so wonderful. I love fall!
Happy Monday,

Friday Fill-ins 10/23/09

Next to the door in our mud-room that leads to the garage.

I love it and think it is a good reminder as we all head out for the day :) Oct 09

Friday Fill-ins
1. The crickets sing, and remind me of warm summer nights.
2. Come out, come out wherever you are.
3. I want to get far away from the flu. Praying our family stays healthy.
4. That there would be no more homework; this was a dream.
5. But as for me, I am back to WW and going strong.
6. The Midwest is where I come from
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include soccer then a sleepover with 4 girls for Abbie's birthday and Sunday, I want to go hiking but we have the girls to get home and then another soccer game in the afternoon.

Happy Friday!

8 Things: Favorite Movies

For today's 8 things, I am going to share my 8 all-time favorite movies. I love each of these movies for different reasons but one thing is true for all - they are the ones I could watch over and over again :) So in no particular order, here are my favorites:

1.) Forrest Gump - What's not to love? To me this is the perfect movie - it follows someone through their lives so you are not left to wonder what happens, it is rich with history, has a fantastic soundtrack, characters that you really love, and it pulls you through every emotion that exists. Perfect I tell you!
2.) Grease - Ramma lamma lamma ka dingity ding da dong! So fun! I think am pretty sure I could recite every line and sing every song from this movie. I saw it when I was 12 and fell in love. Still love it to this day.
3.) Gone With The Wind - :Sigh: Everything a movie should be. Love, love, love it!
4.) It's a Wonderful Life - Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a viewing of this movie. It holds a message that we all could use a reminder of - we are important and we change the world for the better everyday. It gives me the warm fuzzies Just thinking about it! :)
5.) Far & Away - This movie was not as epic or acclaimed as the rest on my list but it still ranks up there for me. I love the historical aspect of this movie - I am fascinated with the time it takes place plus a sweet love story always helps :)
6.) Sound of Music - Oh the music! The beautiful scenery! Those children! The history! That love story! Magnificent!
7.) Fried Green Tomatoes - The name alone would make it a favorite but they backed up that name with a winner of a movie.
8.) Steel Magnolias - The connections between characters can't be beat in this movie. I cry every single time I watch it.

What are your favorite movies?

A new sketch!

Here is a brand new sketch. Enjoy :)

 

Best Shot Monday - 10/19/09

My sweet Abbie. Taken at the Melting Pot while celebrating her 11th birthday :)

Friday Fill-ins 10/16/09

Our front porch 10/09

1. So are we going to North Carolina for Thanksgiving? Don wants to but it is still up in the air - we will see...
2. New furniture is what's up ahead. The delivery guys are coming this am!
3. I love to sleep to the sound of rain.
4. Leftovers of some sort is on tap for tonight's dinner.
5. I walk a little to little!
6. A positive attitude is the true elixir of life!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a night in, tomorrow my plans include soccer of course and Sunday, I want to scrapbook in the worst way but we will see if I actually get to!


Have some Friday Fun today! :)

8 Things: About Abbie

Abbie taken Sept 2009 while mini-golfing

Today is Abbie's eleventh birthday. How can my sweet baby girl be 11? I am so lucky and blessed to have a daughter like Abbie! For my 8 things Wednesday I thought it would be a great time to share 8 Things I love about Abbie :)

1.) She is driven. She sets a goal and goes after it - whether it is saving money or playing soccer - she works hard to get the job done.

2.) She is beautiful. Of course, I can not help but look at her through a mothers eyes but everyday I catch a glimpse of beauty in her.

3.) She is silly. She is not afraid to let loose and joke around - giggle and have fun.

4.) She is an animal lover. She loves animals of all kinds and I am so proud that she is taking the steps to volunteer at our local shelter.

5.) She is smart. Amazingly so - it is such a comfort to always hear good reports about Abbie when I hear from teachers.

6.) She is caring. She is always willing to lead a hand - she makes efforts to help the environment, her classmates, her family and her friends.

7.) She is changing. Each new day she seems to change in subtle ways as she reaches toward the teen years. It is amazing to watch it happen.

8.) She is a mama's girl. From the time she was born Abbie and I have had a special bond - she has always reached for me first and I am more then happy to have my arms wide open to welcome her.

Happy Birthday Baby - I love you so very much!

Best Shot Monday - 10/12/09

A day late but here is my best shot from last week. We had a nice fire in the fire pit on Sunday night. It was so nice sitting around with my parents and the family talking, laughing, and of course roasting marshmallows and eating smores! :)

I have been enjoying a nice visit with my parents if you have been wondering where I have taken myself - be back Friday ready to catch up with all my friends. Hope you are having a great week!

Friday Fill-ins 10/9/09

We got "boo'd" a few nights ago with a hit and run goody bag left on the porch. Fun! The kids had even more fun sneaking out after dark to leave our "boos" on two other neighborhood porches. :)

1. Sweet dreams is what I almost always have - I have only had a hand full of bad dreams in my lifetime.

2. It is so hard to get up when it is dark outside, especially for me.

3. Silliness in the form of made up songs is common around our home!

4. I think we will have more kids then ever stop at our house this Halloween.

5. Outstanding or not, I do not agree with Obama getting the Peace Prize.

6. Sweets are what I want right now! (I have been wanting sweets in the worst way lately!)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym then a movie with the kids, tomorrow my plans include watching Abbie play soccer then finishing up getting ready for my parents visit and Sunday, I want to spend time with my Mom and Dad!

Hoping all my Canadian friends have a happy Thanksgiving this weekend!

8 Things: About College

This week I have been thinking about the past - college in particular. I attended and graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida and I loved every minute of it. It was a large university with over 40 thousand students and we affectionately called it USF - University of Sun and Fun. As you will read on, I am sure you will glean the fact that the academic part of college was - well - not to important to me. I did what I had to do and no more. I did however put lots of effort into living a fun life! :) So for this week, 8 things I loved about College.

1.) Friends & Boyfriends - I was surrounded with a great group of girls and guys, with so many people around there is always someone available and ready to hang out. There is never a shortage of people in and around a college that are in the same place in life as you. A smorgasbord of social outlets if you will :)
2.) Staying up late and Sleeping in - This was the perfect schedule for me the night owl! We wouldn't even think about going to bed until past 1 am and rarely got up before 11 am. Many times we wouldn't even start getting ready to go out until 9:30 pm - another world from my life today that is for sure!
3.) Night Classes - I learned early (my first year when I failed my one and only 8 am class) that morning was not going to work for me. (See #2) So I started taking night classes. The great thing for me was they met only once a week 5 pm to 8 pm for the same amount of credits as the day classes that met 3 times a week. Giving me all day and all night after 8:30 for fun! (See #1)
4.) My VW Bug Convertible - this little red car was so cute, dependable and cheap. (It cost nearly nothing to fill it up.) My friends loved to pile in with the top down and head for the beach, a party or a park.
5.) Living in the Sun - moving from Chicago to Florida was a shock to the system - in a good way. I loved calling home and hearing it was snowing when I had on shorts. I loved not owning a coat and being able to run out the door as is. I loved the casual, laid back attitude and dress of everyone that lived there. I loved the blue skies, the heat, the palms, the flowers and yes the sun!
6.) Hobbies - I had time - sure I could have studied more but instead I filled my extra time with hobbies. I learned to cross stitch and loved creating things while we watched TV in the afternoons plus buying every thread color known to man. I also learn to love antiques! Several of my friends and I would just go browse around the shops to see what treasures we could find. It started off because we didn't have much money and it was a cheap way to get some things but quickly became a love of mine.
7.) Bars - Yep, I said it. The drinking age when I moved to Florida had just been raised from 18 to 21 but since I was already 18 when it changed I was grandfathered in and was still allowed to drink. The drinking wasn't the important part for me it was being able to get into the bars and party with my friends. So. Much. Fun. We danced, we laughed, we ate oysters and wings, we flirted, we gossiped, we sang, and sometimes we cried.
8.) Freedom - to decide when to clean, when to sleep, when to study, when to party, when to eat...I did not always make the wisest choices of how to spend my time but even that taught me something about living with the consequences of your decisions. Being 18 - 22 was awesome for me - very few real responsibilities and a whole barrel full of fun!

What to play? Join in here.

Win a Feeling Scrappy Class!

Feeling Scrappy is featured on Ella Publishing's blog today! They are giving away TWO spots in the Sketchapalooza 5 Class that starts October 26th. All you need to do is leave a comment to be entered to win. You have until Friday, October 9th ~ Good Luck!

Best Shot Monday - 10/05/09

Hmmmm...Monday already is it? Not sure why but the photos on my camera from this past week were sadly lacking. So today I will share some photos of my daughter who has very straight hair. We have talked for awhile that it would be fun to put lots of braids in then take them out so she could have "fluffy hair." We did just that - it was fun for a day :)

Before:After:

Have a good week!

Friday Fill-ins 10/2/09

The boys found this turtle in the woods near our house. Cool! 9-09

Friday Fill-ins:
1. I have a history of making lists - I have been doing it all my life.
2. Quilting is something I wish I knew how to do.
3. I'm eating (or recently ate) 8 can dump soup.
4. Beef jerky and music is what we need when on the road.
5. So that's it, that's the wrong fridge! Waiting another month for the right one.
6. Something is better than nothing!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting to bed early(so tired today), tomorrow my plans include soccer and more furniture shopping and Sunday, I want to get crafty and spend some time outside with the family!



Have a great fall weekend!

Blog Award :)

My friend Stacey gave me this award on her blog so I thought I would play along :)

This award comes with some rules and a survey I have to fill out.

Rules

1. You Can Only Use One Word!

2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!

3. Alert them that you have given them this award!

4. Have Fun!

The Fun Part

1. Where is your cell phone? kitchen

2. Your hair? clean

3. Your mother? Indiana

4. Your father? Indiana

5. Your favorite food? Thai

6. Your dream last night? kids

7. Your favorite drink? water

8. Your dream/goal? positive

9. What room are you in? studio

10. Your hobby? Scrapbooking

11. Your fear? heights

12. Favorite place to eat? MeltingPot

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren’t? Athletic

15. Muffins? lemon

16. Wish list item? camera

17. Where did you grow up? Indiana

18. Last thing you did? lunch

19. What are you wearing? jeans

20. Your TV? Off

21. Your pets? Cute

22. Friends? wonderful

23. Your life? blessed

24. Your mood? frustrated

25. Missing someone? Mom

26. Vehicle? MDX

27. Something you’re not wearing? jewelry

28. Your favorite store? Scrapbook

29. Your favorite color? pink

30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday

31. Last time you cried? recently

32. Your best friend? Abbie

33. One place that I go to over and over? Target

34. One person who emails me regularly? Judy

I will give this award to:

1. Char

2. Shirley

3. Kyla

4. Lee

5. Tracy

6. Stacey

TGIF! Have a good one!

8 Things: Meals I would love to have again!

It is no secret that I love food. I really enjoy trying new flavor combinations and foods from all different cultures and areas. I have eaten so many wonderful, yummy things over the years but today I am going to list 8 meals that I would love to eat again.

1.) Fresh Salmon from Vancouver, Canada. I enjoyed this meal in 1990 at a fairly fancy restaurant in Canada. I was attending a conference for work in Seattle, WA and 5 coworkers and I made the trip over the border and enjoyed a fabulous evening. The Salmon was out of this world and like nothing I have had since.

2.) Morning After Pancakes from Texas. In 1996, Don and I took a trip to San Antonio, TX. While there we drove up into the hills and stopped at a little out of the way bakery for breakfast. I ordered their speciality "Morning After Pancakes" Oh my! Apparently they crumble up the danish from the day before into the battery and let me tell you it was fantastic - with or without syrup. YUM!

3.) Garlic Soup & Warm Crusty Bread from Austria. While driving through the mountains in 1999 we stopped in a little village and had lunch at a pub type restaurant. We sat at a charming little table that had a magnificent view while we enjoyed the best soup I have ever had. A perfect blend of flavors then add to that warm crusty bread - close to heaven I tell you!

4.) Potato Pierogi from St. Michael's church in Merrillville, Indiana. Made from scratch by the older polish church ladies, served on paper plates, and dripping with butter in the church basement surrounded by families young and old. So melt in your mouth, stick to your ribs, warm your soul good.

5.) Scallops from Narragansett, Rhode Island. While vacationing we had dinner at a little dive that was located right where the fishing boats come in. Newspaper covered tables, food served in red baskets, prices dirt cheap, seafood right from the boat. We sampled lots of yummy seafood that night including lobster, crab and various fish - all very good - but the scallops - oh the scallops. So smooth and buttery- not tough or chewy at all and the perfect flavor.

6.) Garlic Chicken & Thai Beef Salad - Thai Spice in Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha would be the last place I would expect to find good Thai food but it is there! We ordered take out from Thai Spice every other Friday and they knew us and knew our tastes (we like it HOT!) and it was fantastic. I miss it - a lot. Let's just say my mouth is actually watering as I write this. Sad, I know.

7.) Fire Roasted Vegetables & Garlic - Bistro 110 Chicago, Illinois. Although there are many tempting things on the menu, no matter how many times I go I have to order the Roasted Vegetables. Love the taste and the beautiful colors of the food. The garlic? Oh just think about it...baked until it is soft and buttery served whole by the head with warm bread and butter. You stink for days but it is well worth it.

8.) Greek Olives and Stew at the Flame in Santorini, Greece. Another little place Don and I discovered on our travels - a hike to get there but oh so worth it. The view of the Aegean Sea was spectacular and the food was glorious. A whole bowl of Greek olives and a stew that I can't even name - filled with all sorts of veggies and lots of potatoes with some kind of tomato base. So stinkin' good.

Not even hungry right now but boy do I want to eat!

Join in and share your 8 things today here.