harvest decor

i posted an earlier blog called "my creativity is oozing" and also promised in "apology" to get on my idea-wagon and decorate our home with some fall festivities.  well, believe it or not, i did.  i yanked and pulled at all of my creativeness and came up with something REMARKABLE!  i started with these to work with:
(pumpkins)

this is on our mantle, i love the Nativity.  i like to be reminded of Christ's birth year-round... so it's always up.

i should point out right now that most of the time i WILL NOT clean or straighten the house (or myself) for the photos i place in this blog.  i'm a real person.  we LiVE in our home.  it doesn't look perfect and neither do i.  if it offends any readers that my home isn't perfect, go read someone else's blog.  i've read so many blogs out there... there are PLENTY of perfect-homemaking blogs out there!  i enjoy my family and i do what i can to keep our home tidy.  god made me the way he did and i don't feel the desire to make myself up as someone else (most of the time). 
but, anyway... with all of my creative juices, i came up with this:

i moved the Nativity scene over to the dresser.

and now this is over the mantle with some fall artwork the girls brought home from school.  it was annoying to have this on the table all the time anyway.

i think i did an amazing job (especially pulling in the potatoes.  tying in a bit of idaho.  briliant, aren't i?!)  what do you think?!  it was fun...

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

celebrating adejay

i keep holding off on this post so that i can do it up with pix.  but they keep not appearing.  she's 12, so she was born pre-digital.  that means i have to SCAN a baby picture of her to get one in here (in the computer, i mean).  blah.  so... i'll just wait for that and post in the mean time. 
dear adejay,
you are a-MAZE-ing.  you honestly make my jaw drop all the time.  you're beautiful.  on the inside, you have the sweetest, most caring, selfless, magnetic, loving, joyous, kind, good, and faithful heart.  on the outside (not that it matters), you have the most georgeous dark orange hair, the cutest sweet and innocent face --full of freckles and smiles, and a nice and healthy-fit body that you take care of and excercise regularly.  adejay, you ARE a TRUE BEAUTY!  i loved to hear your teachers say that you "have something in her that just... draws out the good in others.  all the time!"  you are an inspiration for others including myself.  i hope to be like you when i grow up...
it's ironic that your birthday is in november, the thankful month.  there is no one in my life that i could be more thankful for.  i'm thankful that you were born 12 years ago, while i was still in high school, not even thinking about kids!  i'm thankful that your father cared enough for your future that he moved himself and you out of las vegas.  i'm thankful that i took the time to listen to God's will for my life when i met you and your dad and resisted the urge to travel the world.  i'm thankful that your dad married me.  i'm so very thankful that you allowed me to step into your life and play the role as your mom.  i'm even more thankful that you accepted me in that role and let me become your mom.  i'm thankful that we were able to give you the siblings that you longed for.  i'm so thankful that you are such a wonderful sister, such a good role model, and such a sweet friend to those siblings.  i'm thankful that you are you, girl.  i LOVE YOU! 
i hope you had a wonderful birthday, twelve-year-old-daughter.  you deserve nothing less than the best!  go get it!!!
~your mom

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

dinner menu

i had a hard time coming up with another menu that last one is still kinda rolling along.  i haven't made the easy peasy tacos, or the chicken enchiladas yet.  i asked for recipes from my friends on facebook to help me draw out of my blank.  here's what i've come up with and i'm planning a grocery run today. 
baked potato bar (comment with topping suggestions please!  all i can think of is: butter, sour cream, bacon, onion, chili)
chicken ceasar salad with apple-cheese casserole (yes, i know it sounds daring... that's why i'm trying it as a side to something that i know will sufice even without the side!) 
white chili with tortilla chips or cornbread (depending on my energy level)
pork chops with mashed potatoes granny-green beans
stuffed green peppers because i've never made them and i really really like 'em!  (so does otter pop!  he's armenian and he grew up with dolma a DELICIOUS dish that i will make some day.  traditionally dolma is wrapped in grape leaves, but sometimes his aunt stuffs it in green peppers or zuchini.)
french dip sandwhiches -this recipe isn't online but was given to me by my sweet dear good-cook-of-a-sister.  maybe i'll post the recipe and pictures! 
peanut butter french toast ---for fun---
and this awesome chicken yum yum dish that i'm making tonight.  i hope it's as good as i'm hoping.  (i'm funny aren't i?!)  i probably won't post pictures as we'll be eating it at my mother-in-laws.  i'll follow this post with the recipe... it's super easy!
and that's it!  eight recipes plus the two carried over from the last menu.  my last menu lasted more than a week (more like 2+) and groceries ran about $160 if i remember right.  i think this menu will be about the same.  the only other grocery stop i have to make in between these big trips are stops for milk.  thankfully pauls has weekly deals where they sell gallons for $1.69.  each week it's a different milk (whole, 1%, 2%, skim) and i usually only buy meat at pauls so lately i haven't had enough "points" to get all the milks at the bargain price but it tastes better than winco's and i'd rather support paul's than walmart!
anyway, here's the chicken yum yum recipe.  thanks liz!  oh, and best yet... it's a crock pot recipe!
add to crockpot:
3-4 frozen chicken breasts
2 c. frozen corn
2 c. salsa
1 can black beans
cook on low for 3-4 hours.
take out chicken and shred and place back in crockpot.  add 8 oz. cream cheese.
let cook for another hour.
use this goodness as a filling for taco/burritos and top with whatever you like (sour cream, cheese, olives, lettuce, etc.)
ENJOY!
Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

my creativity is OOZING!

this is how i do creative (see below):
oh goodness gracious.  doesn't this look good?  cranberry cake with warm vanilla butter sauce... (i'm salivating)
here are some great ideas.  none i'd really ever try, but that's 'cause ... uh ... i won't.
this is another great site for awesome ideas... none that i'd buy, but copy.  and probably won't do that either.  -however that thanksgiving blessing mix is a great thought!!!

phew that was a lot of creative juices.  and now i'm all out of ideas and don't even know where to start.  it think i'm still working on the fall festivity.  i'll take some pictures and show you what i currently have. 

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

apology

sorry we've been a little under the weather these past few days. 

a few nights of no sleep. 

a few hundred loads of laundry

 due to an overdose of puke.

(just kidding no picture needed here)


 and then a full 24 hours of bedrest to strengthen the weak.  but now we're all on the mend (hoping that the one that didn't get sick, won't) and working on some frugal fall decor thanks to a beautiful inspiration from a godly and beautiful friend.  stay tuned for a post on my creative side... because durnit, i HAVE one!!!  i think.

ps.  these all would be real pictures if the apology was fake.

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

StarBoy has his first birthday!

October 31, 2010
my dear sweet starboy,
i have loved you for far longer than 1 year.  you are so precious to me.  you are such a blessing!  you add so much to our family, it's hard to imagine we lived a normal life without you. 

a year ago, i pushed hard enough for you to plop out into your fathers hands.  you were SO BIG and SO BEAUTIFUL!  i loved your dark head of hair and your soft perfect skin.  i couldn't believe how well you latched on as soon as i gave you the opportunity.  you've continued to be a good eater, only being picky with green beans, but after a few tries you decided to like them.  you really like them in the normal form!  you are not so crazy about peas in their normal form...  you had some bowel problems early on, but you're all figured out now and i think it won't be another year before you decide the potty's a better place to go. 
everyone oogles and ahgles over your cuteness.  you've spent the majority of your life so shy and scared of strangers.  you're getting over that finally, every day is a little better.  i still feel like you'd rather be home with all of us, than surrounded by a plethera of people... but now you cope much better.  not nearly as many tears.  you've always been sweetly attached to me and daddy.  it didn't take long at all for you to recognize our voices, smells, shapes, etc.  you've always loved to watch me and i love that.  you captivated me so early by that sweet love.  you love your daddy's ears and hair.  they're so fun to play with and poke and pet. 
one thing that i adore about you is how you nurse.  you remind me of a baby kitten.  your whole body gets into the feeding, not just your sucker.  you still kick like crazy when you nurse.  no one likes to sit by me when you're nursing because you kick them away. 
your siblings love to make you smile and that's not hard for them to do.  you are crazy about them!  as soon as you wake up, you're so eager to go out and say hi to anyone who's here.  you love it when they'll wave and greet you.  now that you're walking, it's fun to see you interact with each of your siblings.  it's obvious how much you love them because of how much you tolerate from them. 
you came out screaming in this high pitched cry and you still use it today.  it gets attention and i hope you realize that you can get better attention in other ways.  you're sweet, cute, and i'm so delighted that God blessed us with you.  i am eager to watch you grow up and my hope is that you'll learn to love and fear your heavenly father and live a life in obedience to His will.

i love you, son.
mama

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Recipe for Gramma's Fried Chicken (by Great-Aunt Nita)

so, i said i'd post this recipe with pictures when i made it.  so i tried to be all artsy at dinner tonight.  it turned out scrumptious.  please enjoy.

we enjoyed this chicken with green peas,

and creamy mashed potatoes.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes:

boil the amount of potatoes (peeled or unpeeled, your choice) you want.  drain.

add 1 ranch packet mix, 1 8oz. container of sour cream, 1 8oz package of cream cheese, 2 Tbsp butter, some milk, and a good sprinkling of cheddar bacon seasoning (from Winco's bulk section).  smash,/mix/stir/etc.

WA-LAH.

DINNER'S SERVED:

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."