I'm total clutz! I was flipping the egg and flipped it right out of the pan. Nice.

Conner is prepped and ready for surgery to his hair. Bye Bye curls. Time for a trim.

Not Bad.

I'm sure most of you know what a hassle it is to change car seats and get them all altered for the right size. We got Conner a new Britax Frontier and bumped Wyatt into Conner's old Britax. Very roomy. Both Conner and Wyatt are swimming in their new seats-rather than over flowing like they were in their old seats.
I waited until late to get started on these and ended up putting them in the car at midnight. So, I needed the interior lights...which I left on and had to jump my car in the morning before I raced Conner to his doctor appointment. Raechal babysat the mucous laden Wyatt at our house while we were off to the infirmary (you should see all the runny noses in the waiting room).

Cheese less pizza with non dairy, non egg crust. All for Conner- who wouldn't eat it. He kept saying, "A en et, may Nonna syet" (Egg in it, make Conner sick). I think he was just making excuses. Ha Ha. Next time I'll try pepperoni, I was just trying to use what we had in the house.

Cute pilgrim hat cookies I made using a chewy gingersnap cookie recipe found on Be Different Act Normal (and they are chewy!!). And using the idea from Scribbit. They're not quite as pretty as the model. But they taste yummy.

A few extra thoughts:

I hate it when songs use computer altered voices in their singing. I'm not talking like Lynrd Skynrd altered, I'm talking like Jay-Lo and all those new hip hop songs. Yuck. Also, I hate it when they use the laser sound in songs. Bewr, Bewr, Bewr, Bewr, Bewr. Stop!!!

On a happier note: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It's late. I still have to bake a pie tonight, cook a turkey and green bean casserole (this aint your mamas green bean casserole) tomorrow. We've got ants...holy rain batman. Seriously though, I saw the ants making their way under our house about a month back. If someone so much as leaves a tiny crumb on the floor- they invade. I've been keeping it so clean...but they still come...they just come to make their little trails and send out scouts!! I sprayed some poison sauce right into their little holes. Die ants! Die!

Ok, back to my happier thought...I've got a lot to do but I'm so happy. This is what I'm here for. To bake and take care of my kids. Hee Hee. Oh, and my hubby. He made me laugh like crazy again tonight. Take a look at this video Beyonce made (push play video off to the right)- Josh was imitating her and wondering if it was as weird to anyone else as it was to him. She's like dancing and then she's talking to you like normal even though she's dancing and she's writhing on the ground and talking all normal. You should ask him for the imitation. Hilarious.

Things are great. I'm thankful. I'm just plain old thankful.

This is the Pumpkin Dessert to Beat all Pumpkin Desserts!

No joke. This recipe is yum! I made it Thursday night and it was all gone on Friday. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures while making it and of the finished product (I'm having a hard time remembering and thinking lately, hmmmm). This would entice you soooo much more if it had real darn pictures. You'll just have to trust me. This picture over here (that I googled) is almost what it looks like. I've heard of this recipe using yellow cake mix. Pooh Pooh on them- this is way better!

Make it like this!

1 2/3 c. evaporated milk (the regular size can)

1/4 t. ground cloves

2 eggs

16 oz can pumpkin (this is what the recipe says- but I could only find 15 oz)

3/4 c. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. ginger

Mix above listed ingredients together, mixture will be very runny. Pour into greased 9x13 pan.

1 box Spice Cake mix (these are a b%@*# to find so good luck, I had no luck at Ralphs or Target and decided to borrow one from Rae rather than drag my kids all over to find one)

2 cubes butter, melted

Sprinkle Spice cake mix evenly over the top of pumpkin mixture. Pour melted butter over as evenly as possible to moisten cake mix. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. The pumpkin part should look like pumpkin pie. Not runny, but not too firm. Best served warm with whipped cream (make the real kind so you can't taste the plastic container in the Cool Whip brand). I ate it cold the next day too. But I have problems.

Enjoy, enjoy! Oh, you will enjoy!!!!

Thanks to Lindsey for this great recipe and the permission to spread it all over the world.

Tip Junkie Giveaways

If you go see the Tip Junkie you can win lots of neato stuff! Check her out! She is highlighting other blogs and hosting a mom-preneur shop-a-thon.

Speaking of Humorous

As most of you know, Josh is hilarious. You know how when people ask you what you want in a spouse and everyone always says, "Good sense of humor." That's one of the reasons I love him. He makes me laugh til I pee. Too much? Sorry.

Anyways, he was telling me tonight not to worry if the real estate market completely collapsed because he's got 3 backup plans.

1* Become an exotic dancer wearing an elephant head shaped banana hammock. He would stay "fat and hairy" (his words- not mine- he's so not fat...). That is what he would be known for. The fat and hairy exotic dancer.

2* He's going to start an outlaw Mormon Biker gang called The Sons of Smith (playing on the show The Sons of Anarchy and Joseph Smith of course). Their leather coats would have Nephi scalping a Lamanite (which doesn't make sense but you know what he means). He's not really sure how he would make money but he would look really cool.

3* Become a doctor. (Brought on by an episode of Gray's Anatomy).

Hello Angel!

'Tis the season for taking some time to watch TV! Ya, I said it. Watch TV! But not just any old TV, Christmas movies! Let me introduce you to my favorite, The Bishop's Wife. You already know that I am in love with Cary Grant. What? You didn't? Ahem. That's a whole other post in itself... Back to the movie.
First, I love old movies -I like the overacting, corniness, and I don't mind the fake smooshy face kissing. If you're annoyed by these things, don't watch this movie.
Poor David Niven is the bishop who prays for help in getting a new cathedral- meanwhile, working too hard and shirking his husbandly duties. Dudley (Cary Grant) is sent to him and he does with the wife (Loretta Young) what the Bishop should be doing (no not sex- it's a 1947 movie for crying out loud). As in all of his movies Grant is humorous, debonair, handsome, charming, and lovable. Man, I can't believe I can't write any more about this movie. The words just aren't coming tonight- so here's the movie back explanation:
An episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham, has been working for months on the plans for a new cathedral paid for by a stubborn widow. He is losing sight of his family and of why he became a churchman in the first place. Enter Dudley, an angel sent to help him. Dudley does help everyone he meets, but not necessarily in the way they would have preferred. With the exception of Henry, everyone loves him, but Henry begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, at work, and in his families affections, as Christmas approaches.
It usually shows on one of the old movie channels (TCM or ACM) before Christmas, or you can click on the movie title above and watch it on youtube- or rent it- duh.

HoHum

That's

right! 2 Eggs over easy drowned in Cholula and chopped up. MMM!

Never mind the dirt. Check out that peanut foam line...should I be worried? You've seen his line work before- I don't think this is his best.

My poor little WoWos is sick. I was sick, then Conner was sick (still is), now Wyatt. Don't you just want to pick him up and cradle him?

Hilarious that Cortney would spot the naked dolly in the background of an earlier picture. I actually saved the poor woman from a printer mishap. Scandalous hussy!

Did You Miss Me?

I may look comfy but I'm really trying to keep my feet from swelling up like hams with sausage toes. That's what happens when you sit in one spot for 5 hours straight, trying to cut Velcro into itty bitty pieces and cutting out 250 stars - twice!!
Sorry FHE group but I think I'm really done this time; For two reasons: too expensive, too time consuming (especially when you procrastinate).

No, Wyatt isn't trying out for his own version of Twilight...he's just eating a raspberry for the first time. Funny, huh?

Can anyone guess what this is? It's my breakfast, if that helps.

My Hand Hurts From Peeling, Coring, and Cutting a Zillion Apples

My first canning solo experience??? A success!

Wish I had a maid to clean up the mess in the kitchen. I canned 10 Jars and had enough apples left over to make a huge apple cobbler...

Thanks to Sandy at 4ReluctantEntertainers for the Apple Pie in a Jar recipe.

We enjoyed some acorn squash last night, the way my Grandma Great Grandma used to do it, with butter and brown sugar. Ok- we used soy butter so Conner could eat it and GGG would usually use butternut. It was still tasty. I had to have Josh help me cut it open. Does anyone have any acorn squash cutting open secrets? These things are like rocks!!!
Grandma Great Grandma- I used to call Great Grandma just Grandma so every time I said "Grandma" my mom or whoever would say "Great Grandma" so eventually, I learned it as "Grandma Great Grandma".

Like I said, Conner looooves the helmet. Has to have it on 24/7. He wore it to In-N-Out today. People thought he was funny and there was a table of older folks sitting next to us that kept smiling at him and waving. He would yell "Hi" right back and wave.

*We went to In-N-Out today to meet Josh and Bapas for lunch...'cause I was in his area trying to get supplies to finish my FHE project.

New

His beautiful dark locks are getting sooo long. I love the curl and I don't want to cut it...but I know it's starting to look scraggly.
To buzz or to cut? That is the question.

I purchased that helmet I was talking about. No procrastination here, I don't want to be responsible for him cracking his dome!

He loooooves it and doesn't want to take it off - until he starts getting really sweaty.

He wore out the path in front of our house today. Going up to the street and back while I landscaped the front porch.

Now what Wyatt? What are ya gonna do now? Just lean back a little and bend your legs...that's how you get down from that position that you keep getting stuck in over and over.

Count 'em- 4! 4 New Teeth on top of the existing 2!!!!!!

Hold Up, Wait a Minute.

I've been working on this ghostie since a few days after Halloween. Not that it takes that long to do...quick tutorial below.
I ran out of time to make him before Halloween but wanted to get him done because I didn't think the liquid starch would store until next year.

Bought some cheesecloth (by the yard- about 2 yrds) and Stiffen Quik (go ahead, think dirty thoughts) from JoAnne's.
Martha said to use a finished paper towel roll but I decided to use the whole thing (for more support). Crumpled up tin foil for a head and made some arms (make sure to recycle the tinfoil afterwards). Oh yeah, I added tinfoil hills on the bottom so the cheesecloth would flip up and look floaty. Covered it all with saran wrap then draped the strips (don't remember my measurements- just cut strips you think will look good)over the mold. Spray with liquid starch and let dry. Repeat until hard- I used the whole bottle and plan on painting on a layer of diluted Elmer's glue for extra strength.
You can leave the cute little guy like this or string him up from the center of his head and hang him somewhere. Cute huh!

On Our Drive

On our way up to the Apple Orchard the other day, Josh and I had a great time together....

When we were in the (909), we were reminded of an incident that Josh and his dad witnessed a while back. They saw a young punk kid wearing a wife beater, low baggy shorts, and trucker hat along with a young girl. The only thing that Josh remembered her wearing was bootie shorts with "White Trash Slut" written accross the butt. No joke.

They were being arrested.

We saw a Cinderella carriage on a flatbed trailer. It was actually quite pretty and I could imagine all the OC county girls having to have it at their prom. Then we both agreed that they'd probably rather have a convertible Mercedes to do the honors.

We saw the best corner sign waving guy we've ever seen anywhere! We couldn't stop talking about his moves! He was wearing a GIANT sombrero that came down over his eyebrows. He held the sign with one hand and the other hand he held in a point- he'd bring it out in front of him, to his hip, then behind him; meanwhile he's basically doing the twist but not static- he's lifting his feet and moving all around. He was NOT wearing head phones. We saw him about 5 minutes from the orchard. After we'd been at the orchard for over 2 hours, we saw him on our way out, doing the same exact thing. Only this time he had competition.

He blew them out of the water.

This Post is a WoWos Cookie

First Cookie Layer: Wyatt sticking out his tongue (mostly to the left) all day long.

Creamy Center: A trip to the Apple Orchard up in Glen Oak.

Final Cookie Layer: WoWos; the macho maraca maneuvering maniac.

As a Post Script

As a post script to the last blog...another reason I have so much time...my housecleaning duties get neglected and this place becomes a sty.

I'm Not Complaining

Hey- by now you've figured out that I am trying hard to do a lot of stuff for and with my kids and for and with our family. It does seem like I do a lot sometimes and some of you have asked how I have the time.

I stay up really late sometimes and...

I don't watch TV.

Don't get me "weird." I'm not all tree huggy don't watch TV it fries your brains like. I just gradually quit TV when I had Conner. Before Conner, I was an old movie (Cary Grant is so debonair) and HGTV, Samantha Brown, Girls Next Door, John and Kate Plus 8, etc., nut. I found myself putting Conner off to see something on the tube. I didn't like this about myself. I wanted to be more involved with him when he was awake. I don't know why, its just this intense feeling I have deep in my heart- and so I just quit. There are a few things that my hub nub DVR's that we will "watch" together- but I'm usually actually doing something at the same time or on the computer blogging. Which is actually starting to become a bad habit too. I've had to force myself not to turn on the computer during the day until naptime or even bedtime if necessary. And then, whenever the kids are asleep at the same time, I quickly check to see who's updated and write something if I can. Sometimes, I only get to uploading the pics and then a child wakes up- so I publish the pics and write in the words later that day.
I check out other blogs where the other moms are making and doing and involving themselves with their families and I'm a little envious of their abilities. They make the choice between Arby's or grilled steaks. They make the choice between homemade decorations or bought. Maybe they're painting a prettier picture than what really exists...but then again, maybe their not. Maybe they've got it figured out. And what's wrong with their "apparent" success and enjoyment prodding me into a little "actual" success and enjoyment?


Please pass me a chair so I can climb down from my high horse. I am done.

Where's my Quiche?

The other morning I was feeling quite energetic and spontaneously decided to thrill my husband with Quiche Lorraine for breakfast. I loaded up the kids after feeding them breakfast, getting them ready, potty, getting me ready, potty, packing necessities and off we went to the local chicken farm for some fresh eggs! Did you know there's a chicken farm not 10 miles east of us? You get to pluck your own eggs from under their bums too! Conner loved it.

Anyways, after plucking eggs, potty breaks, snack breaks, and bottle feeding we drove home to start Josh's feast.

I've placed the recipe below. I know it makes a lot- but Josh can eat almost two quiches at one sitting and we planned on eating them for leftovers all week.

Quiche Lorraine
Ingredients:
5 pounds bacon
1 big or 2 medium onions, minced
1 pint whipping cream
1 block Swiss cheese, shredded
6 to 10 eggs
1 Tablespoon dry mustard
1 Tablespoon ginger, ground
1 Tablespoon nutmeg
5 to 6 drops Tabasco pepper sauce to taste (or salt and pepper)
4 to 5 pie shells
butter
Fry and drain the bacon well (with lots of paper towels). Crush/crumble the bacon. Sauté the onion in butter until the center is clear and the edges start to brown. Drain well in a strainer lined with paper towels. In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream, nutmeg, ginger, dry mustard, and Tabasco. Add and whip in the eggs, onion (cooled), bacon (cooled), and cheese. Pour into pie shells and bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F. Serve with champagne, a light Riesling, or orange juice.
Note: Credit for this recipe goes to Al Masson, Deceased, who ran one of the finest restaurants in New Orleans.
You found this recipe on 1st Traveler's Choice Internet Cookbook. (http://www.virtualcities.com/)

Wow, the recipe was a little intense, but totally worth it. And, as I had hoped, Josh gorged himself on two whole quiches and ended up sleeping the whole rest of the day. I love it when he gets a chance to catch up on his sleep.

Did I mention I have some land on the moon for sale?

There's no chicken farm and I did not make this quiche for an overgrown lazy husband!! Although, he thinks the recipe sounds yummy and wants me to make it for real. Maybe I will (cut in at least half though) someday, soon, when I don't have kids and toys to play with, Disneyland, Jump Shout, park, family, friends, choir, laundry, bathrooms, diapers, feedings, dishes...

Sparks

Seriously, are my breakfast's that boring? I mean come on, per your request we get the vacuum out every morning and make baybays go whirrrr. What other kid you know gets a smoothie every morning?

Autumn finds the children.

Come rustle in my leaves, cool off in my breezes.

Peer up at the crisp blue sky then close your eyes and spin.

Giggle till you burst.

This kid doesn't even need a helmet- he's got helmet hair to protect him!

Cortney- Gotcha- it's not Joe O's (the cereal) its Jo Jos or Joe Joe's- whichever, I threw away the box already. Thanks!