It's About Time You Updated the Blog!

Ok- I am way way behind! When you throw a little travel into the ole schedule, I get all out of sorts, and lose the will to blog- but I am back, so all two of my readers can rest easy. I am sure you all are ready to see the latest photos. These are from a few weeks ago when some fellow moms and myself took the kids to the Museum of Appalachia for their homecoming. It was a great time had by all, and the weather was pristine. A perfect Fall day in East Tennessee! This is the 27th annual Homecoming- so it is a pretty big deal! This is a great place to visit any time of the year, but this event included various musicians and historical stuff that didn't so much impress the little ones as it did us moms. The fresh apple cider was my favorite. And the moms did partake in some awesome fair-like food. (have you ever seen ribbons of spiraled potatoes deep fried?) Well they rock. Anyway, I digress- here are some great shots.

Maddie Discovers Sweet Potatoes!

I just thought these photos were too cute to pass up. Maddie is such a great baby. Sweet potatoes seem to be her mashed food of choice these days. She is warming up to the idea of eating baby food, although she does love that bottle!

Fall Easy Art Project

With Fall in the air, I was looking for some way to bring it in the house...with Ben's help. This is a really easy project that takes very few supplies. It started on Friday, while on a walk, Ben and I started collecting leaves, trying to find all different colors and shapes. Ben had fun, and Maddie looked on! Anyway, I had recently purchase a 8" wide role of art paper at a local school supply store, so I rolled it out across the table, and let Ben (with my help) glue on the leaves. I then took it to a local Kinkos and had it laminated fo $3! I had intended it to be placemats, but because I did not pre cut the placemats, I just decided to make it into a runner. Or, in the meantime, a window treatment! Ha! Anyway, I thought it turned out great! It will be interesting to see if they colors last. As for now, we are enjoying God's artwork in our home!

Time to Blog Daddy! & All Things Orange

What a great week we have had here at the homestead. Today was a particularly great day. The morning started off with cool weather and a breakfast outing to Court Cafe. This is a very old diner that smells just like my Grandmother's kitchen. From there, we went to the "pumpkin patch" where Ben excitedly helped pick out pumpkins for my latest project.

Dad helped greatly today, as I wanted to get some semblance of Fall on my doorstep and in my flowerbeds. I have these great iron rods that fit into a planter, to created this crazy stack of potted plants

I had always envisioned pumpkins stacked on these with drilled holes and filled with christmas lights. If you can't see it yourself, here is the end project;

But, I wanted to note some great "Daddy" moments today that I caught on film. Todd really is a stellar Dad and Ben and Maddie are in for some great times ahead. He knows that all Ben really wants is undivided attention or the opportunity to help "build" something. Even though our nerves get strained now and then, Dad enjoys being Dad- and it shows!

The day was peppered with classic boy moments, as Ben discovered a worm, and brought it to show me.

So many beautiful moments to be thankful for. I simply love days like this.

Ben's Art Project

In the mind of my 3 year old, Crayola Crayons are built for one specific purpose- breaking in half. He occasionally likes to color, although he likes markers better. I even went so far as to buy the "twisty" crayons that twist out of a plastic holder. To no avail, he still is not interested in coloring; painting, yes "I like to slap the paint" he says. Recently I had tired of throwing away bits of crayolas when I came across an idea in one of my favorite publications, Family Fun Magazine. I actually recently purchased two compilation books of Family Fun Craft ideas. So, this is not an original idea, much to my chagrin. I simply took the broken crayons, peeled off the paper cover, and melted them in foil lined muffin tins. Here is the outcome

The Feeling of Accomplishment!

Ok, I know I have been very behind on the old blog here- by the way is anyone really reading? I have been having a great week- the hubby is actually home every night- stellar! So, life is really good. Two weeks ago, I finished something that I am most proud of, because it was a labor of love. I did a photo book as a cookbook of some of my Grandmother's best recipes. About a monnth ago, I traveled to my Grandparents' home and got to take the photos and then feast on the subject matter- what a treat! The end product turned out great! I used www.ofoto.com which is also www.kodakgallery.com . I know many sites offer this service, but I have always used kodak, and I am really pleased with the outcome.














The website gives choice of cover and there are about 10 layout choices for photos. I just used the blank page for the recipes. There are so many other creative things to do with this service, like kids books, birthday books, etc. The final cost- to my door was 33 dollars, so I think it was well worth it for a great keepsake. I can't wait to show it to Grandma.