Some Thoughts... My Walls

I am going to use this blog as an invitation to my house.  Come on over.  But beware of the scribbles. 

As you may or may not know, I have 3 children.  My first two children for the most part, I can keep up with.  I can match them move for move on most days.  (Note - the days you see me with them - those are my off days.  Ha!)  On the other hand, my third child, is a gift from God totally sent to ground me.  She teaches me daily that life is not always lists and label makers.  Sometimes life is chaos and just outright messy.   She doesn't just eat, she experiences her food.  She wears it, paints with it, eats it...  just loves every minute.  And when she decides it is time to create, hide your pencils, pens, markers, crayons....  No wall is safe from my little butterfly.

Before Little Miss was born, my hubby and I painted every room in our house.  And it was beautiful.  And that lasted for about 9 months until she learned to hold a writing tool.  Now every single room in my house has her art work in it.   And I must admit, it is driving the left brained, organized me nuts.  I wonder if she is an aspiring artist.  I wonder if I should photograph her work or cut the dry wall out and save it.  But honestly, all I want to do is paint over it.

I feel like this is a confession of me being a bad Mom.  She is only little once - enjoy her, enjoy them - and forget about the walls...  the scribbles...  I am hoping by showing off the art work on my blog, I won't worry about anyone stopping by and seeing her creations.  Maybe I should just buy frames and remove the backs and put them around the work.  Then it would look like I planned it...  And I am hoping that by putting it out there for everyone to see - I might be able to get over my Monkness and close my eyes when I get near the zigs and zags...

Kroger Ideas November 17 - 22, 2009

All I can think about this week is Thanksgiving.  And as I have said before what I am plan with the ad this week is what I am making for next week...  So I am thinking one BIG, meal next week and easy meals the rest of the week.  There are also a few items that are on sale this week that I plan to stock for quick meals later.

Idea #1 - Thanksgiving Dinner.   Even if you are not cooking, take advantage of the price of turkey's now.  Think about this - you can get a turkey that will feed your family for a few nights for less than if you and a friend went to dinner.  Get all the trimmings!  My Mom and I are planning to try baking our turkey overnight using this Southern Plate recipe.   I will let you know how that works.  I am also thinking about trying cornbread stuffing this year in addition to my Mom's traditional stuffing.  Southern Plate has a ton of Thanksgiving Ideas as does Deep South Dish.  Check them out!

Idea #2 - Stir Fry.  Kroger frozen vegetables are on sale.  Then use the meat of your choice.  Shrimp and pork are on sale... you may have chicken or beef in the freezer...  If you are like me, you have rice in your cupboard.   This meal is the best because it is one meal in one skillet. 

Idea #3 - Ham Barbecues.  This is one of my absolute favorite quick meals.  I buy Isaley's Chip Chopped Ham - because honestly there is no other kind.  I am not sure it is on sale - but everything else is.  I have a ton of bbq sauce from all the summer sales.  So here is the recipe...  Put ham in skillet; pour bbq sauce over ham (amount to your liking); heat.   Serve on hamburger buns!  Meal finished.  One skillet - less than 5 minutes.  If you don't want to deal with cleaning this skillet - get one of those plastic crock pot bags and pour everything in the crock pot and let it heat slow on warm.   You can get a 10lb bag of potatoes and make bake potatoes or fries with this meal.  Ore-Ida tater tots are on sale too.  I am going with a relish tray with this one.  I will buy celery, carrots, broccoli and serve with some ranch.  Know that I am going to use this relish tray for multiple meals.

Idea #4 - Stuffed Shells.  You have to have something saucy this week bc it is different than the normal Thanksgiving week fare...  I make my stuffed shells with mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese (ricotta works too), eggs, Parmesan cheese, Italian spices.  Kroger cheese are on sales as is cottage cheese.  So your only item at cost (and maybe it is on sale but not in the ad) is the shells.   Pick up some of those brown and serve rolls to accompany this meal.  (My Aunt Nancy used to dip those rolls in butter and then roll them in cinnamon and sugar.  OMG!  melt. in. your. mouth.)  Make a salad with this meal.  Use those veggies up!

Idea #5 - Chicken Noodle Soup.  Didn't expect this one did you?   I love soup!  In the winter, I usually have it once a week - all different kinds.  I made up a recipe that I love and it is quick.  First, I am going to buy a Park Farms Whole Roaster Chicken (get one big enough for 2 meals).  I will bake that the day before I make the soup.  Let it cool and de-bone it.  (Or pray I time it right and my Mom shows up just in time to do it for me).  Then about 1 hour before dinner, I first chop onions, celery, and carrots (have fun with the amounts to make it to your liking).  Put 2-4 T of butter in the bottom of your soup pan and melt.  Throw in the veggies.  Let them simmer until they are almost cooked.  Then place about 6-8 cans of chicken broth in the pot (Kroger brand is on sale - but if you have coupons Campbell's may be cheaper).  If you have bouillon, that works just as well with water.  Add one can of cream of chicken soup to the pot.  Mix it all up and throw in the chicken.  Season as you like - I use a bit of salt and pepper.   Don't forget the noodles.  Serve this with your relish tray as well.  Mmmmmmm...  

Idea #6 - Chicken Lettuce Wraps.  I had the opportunity to have these at PF Changs.  They are delicious.  So I was pretty excited to try these at home.  I used Christy's recipe on Southern Plate as stated.  Maybe a bit too much soy sauce for me - but overall it was great.  This will be a quick meal because you have the chicken finished from the soup.  You are going to need water chestnuts, head lettuce, onions (I used a regular white onion), and rice noodles.   You need oil to fry the rice noodles and Kroger brand is on sale.  The items I have listed you needing are not necessarily on sale - but you can make this meal for under $10 for your family.   Serve this meal with rice and finish the relish tray.  Get ready to run your vacuum after this meal.  It is a messy one!  But so worth it.  ~ A side note - my little one is not into new meals.  So for her - I rolled ham and American cheese in lettuce and gave it to her.  She did just fine with that.~

Idea #7 - Leftovers.  Seriously - soup, shells, wraps, bbqs, Thanksgiving, stir fry....  you have to have some leftovers.   

OK - things I am going to buy to stock are chicken Stove Top, beef Stove Top, and beef gravy.  When thin steaks go on sale, I will use the beef gravy and stuffing to make this quick beef wraps.  When chicken breasts are on sale, I will make a chicken and stuffing bake.  These are all on sale for $1 each.  Generics may be cheaper - those are fine too.
 
Need a nice Thanksgiving morning treat to eat while you are watching the Parade?  I am so going to try these cinnamon rolls.

Smells of Home...

Scents are such a powerful thing.  They can transport you into another time almost immediately.  They can make you think of someone you love.  And they can make you miss someone so much it hurts...

I often wonder what scent my children will associate with me...  I mean I don't wear a certain lotion, a special perfume, or use one type of soap.  So I am going to guess..  I have to think that my kids will always think of me when they smell cloves and oranges - independently or together.

You see, I love the smell of cloves and oranges.  Nothing makes me happier than to peel an orange and throw it in some water along with some whole cloves...  I even have one of those little crock pots for dips.  But for me that is my special orange and clove pot.  That smell just flat out makes me happy.  It is a cozy day at home.  It is sunshine on a cool day.  It is all things good to me.

I have also been known to sprinkle ground cloves on my carpets and then run the vacuum.  My vacuum bag holds the smell and you can always tell what room I just cleaned...  I can't figure out how to get the orange peel scent into this one - so the cloves go it alone.   

Just as I have been known to buy Dove soap to remember my Little Noni and Safeguard soap to remember my Big Noni...  And just as I spray my sweaters with my Mom's perfume so my closet smells like her...  I hope one day my kids with think of me and smile when they are baking a pumpkin pie or garnishing a ham...  Or even tossing oranges and cloves into their own crock pot...

Kroger Ideas November 10 - 15

So it seems like I have a pattern of posting my ideas for Kroger every other week.   Sometimes I find it hard pressed to get inspired when I am planning off of my personal grocery store at my house versus Kroger.   But here are some ideas I have based off of the ad that is currently running. 

Idea #1 - Potato Soup.  I love this stuff!  I love to serve it with a loaf of bread and a salad.  It is one of those heavy soups that eat like a meal.  Hash browns are on sale so that is why I chose this recipe.   Hormel bacon is also on sale.  Kroger cheese is on sale - don't be afraid of your grater to save a few pennies.  Because I always cook for an army - I would double this recipe.

Idea #2 - Adult Taco Salads.  When I was in college, we had taco salads - a lot.  My sister loved them and I kind of overdosed on them because of that.  So now, I eat them sparingly.  But I really love a more sophisticated version of one!  So I gather spring lettuce, browned ground chuck seasoned with taco seasoning, black beans, fresh salsa (the kind you get in the produce section), sliced avocados, sliced banana peppers, and grated cheddar cheese - and I toss it up!  I serve the salads in tortilla bowls - but chips work well with them too.  Every thing I mentioned for this is on sale except for the beans, banana peppers, and salsa.  You might have them at home - and they might be on sale just not mentioned in the ad.  Obviously, make this to your liking - olives would be good with this as would other types of beans.

Idea #3 - Hot Sausage.  This is going to be my crock pot meal for the week.  Brown the sausage wither in the oven or on the stove.  Add to your crock pot - the sausage, sliced onions, sliced peppers, and tomato sauce.  Let them simmer on low all day!  Serve this with hoagie rolls - and for me fresh veggies are a must.  Relish tray it is!  Don't forget cheese if you like to top your sandwiches off with it!

Idea #4 - Quiche.  I love quiche.  I love it because I am a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad omlet maker.  I have never mastered the flip.  Almost every omlet I have tried has turned out to be scrambled eggs.  So...  quiche or fresh tomato pie from Deep South Dish it is!  Eggs, bacon, cheese, tomatoes are all on sale.   I would pick up some fresh parsley for this one if you don't have it.  Flour is on sale if you feel like making a pie crust - but if you don't Pillsbury pie crusts have lots of coupons out there now.  To me there is no buying generic pie crusts.  I am going to serve this with salad and bread again.  (See how I am repeating some of my sides and ingredients to get the most bang for my buck!)

Idea #5 - Grilled Pork Chops.  Every now and then I like to have pork chops with the bone in them.  And just my luck - these are on sale.  I like to make a rub with olive oil and Chef Paul's seasoning for pork - rub them down and then let them sit in the fridge for a bit.  As sides, how about Kroger frozen broccoli and baked potatoes?   Bananas are on sale - you could try grilled bananas for dessert!!!!  or your could make some homemade banana bread.  For me banana bread = Betty Crocker!

Idea #6 - Mary's Favorite Hamburger Soup.  This is a recipe I am trying this week.  Kroger mixed veggies are on sale.  Ground chuck is on sale (which I am going to buy in bulk and use for the taco salad, this, and then hunky hamburgers).   You will need baby carrots, celery, and onions - but I am guessing you are going to get those for that relish tray and salads this week anyway.   You are also going to need 2 cans of stewed tomatoes and some egg noodles (I keep both stocked when they go on sale).  Everything else you probably have sitting in your pantry.  I probably will substitue garlic powder for garlic; just use regular bouillon, and eliminate the kitchen bouquet.      If soup just isn't enough - this is definitly a meal that screems - add grilled cheese!  (which Sara Lee bread and Kroger American Cheese will make nicely!)

Idea #7 - Hunky Hamburgers.  How do you like that name?  Really this is meat loaf but in the form of bulky hamburgers.  When I was young, my sister drove my Mom nuts with her pickiness.  So Mom would make the same meals and just name them different.  My Mom's meatloaf has been meatloaf, hunky hamburgers, Swedish meatballs...  you get the point.  It took Aimee quite some time to catch on.  Ha!  In my meatloaf, I add ground chuck, eggs, milk (just a bit), bread crumbs, onions, and a bit of green pepper.  Definitely a sale meal!  How you sauce this is personal.  I love my hamburgers with cream of mushroom soup poured over them in the last 10 minutes of cooking.   But Hunt's has a meatloaf sauce that works too!  Use up the rest of the bag of poatotes here by mashing some.   Double this one and freeze what is left!  When you are in a rush one day - you will thank me!

Kroger List Coming

I am a bit slow on the Kroger list because of work lately.  But I promise to have it by Friday.

Home

 Do you ever think about places that just make you know you are at home? Every time you see them - you just get happy? Perhaps knowing you are minutes away from your real home? Maybe just the general setting offers comfort? I have two places like that... Every time I see them, my heart warms and I have to smile.

The first place is coming back my lane to my house. There is this awesome canopy of trees that covers a very small stretch of road. It is the best tunnel out there - a secret hiding place if you will. There are many days when we or I will walk to the crest of that little tunnel - touch the stone columns (they are kind of hard to see) and then walk home. Just awesome.

My second place that reminds me that I am home is on a stretch of Route 2 right before you hit Warwood, WV. As you are driving north and looking left - the river bends and the trees open clear for a great view. I am not a master photographer going 45 mph... but you get the point... The peace that overwhelms me every time I see that river in that particular spot is undeniable. It takes me back to coming home on weekends in college - I just always knew I was home. Fantastic.

Sweet Potatoes and Apples!!!!

Last week, I tried this recipe that was in my Taste of Home magazine, and I was so exited! It is wonderful!   Apples and sweet potatoes - this is almost like dessert!  And it is the first time I was able to get the kids to eat sweet potatoes since they were wee small!  You have to try it!  I am so going to try to convert this into a pie!

Krogering Ideas 10/19 - 10/25

Hello!  I am back on track with my Kroger Meal ideas.  My sister was home last week so my list was put to the side...  There seem to be some promising ideas for this week.  Usually when I plan meals - my ideas that I am writing this week are actual meals I make for next week.  This way I am not in a mad rush to get to the store.


Idea #1 - Tuna Noodle Casserole.  I use the triedand true Betty Crocker Red Check cookbook recipe.  Starkist Tuna is on sale and Campbell's COM soup is on sale (plus you get Campbell's labels for your school of choice and there have been coupons in the paper).  Throw in some noodles, peas, and celery to round out this meal.  One thing I do a bit different is I put half of the noodles in my casserole, add 4 slices of American cheese, and then top it with the rest of the noodles.   Serve with a great side salad!

Idea #2 and Idea #3- Chicken breasts are on sale - so let's buy them and cook em up!  Boil em, bake them, slow cook them, or fry them - just cook the chicken! 

Chicken Salad in Pita Bread is meal #1!  Pita bread is on sale!  So make some chicken salad with part of the cooked chicken.  I am not the fanciest chicken salad cook - I just like to add some onion, celery, mayo, and salt and pepper.  You can even make this ahead.  Serve this with some grapes and sliced apples.  Lite dinner = dessert.  Duncan hines cakes are on sale!   

Meal #2 is Cream Chicken over ...   Again, Campbell's COC soup is on sale and then use the remaining cooked chicken breasts.  You are going to need chicken broth - boullin & water or broth is fine.  COC to broth is a 2 to 1 ratio.  I like to mix the chicken, broth, and COC together in the morning in my crock pot and it is perfect by dinner.  Serve it how you like - over rice, over biscuits (Kroger brand on sale), or over noodles!   I probably will serve this with fresh vegetables (carrots, cukes, and peppers are on sales) and ranch. 

Idea #4 and Idea #5 - Ground chuck is on sale!  I am thinking we buy enough and then boil it enough for 2 meals.  Yes you heard me right - boil it.  I have seen the light - no more frying ground beef for me.  Boiling it is so much cleaner - no splatters - and the best part my house doesn't smell like a diner when I am finished. 

Meal #1 - Chili!  There are some great football games on - why not give yourself a break on Saturday or Sunday?  Get up and get that crock pot out!  Chili is such a personal dish - have fun with it!  Are you a chili with bean person?  Do you like it hot or mild?  What sides do you like with it?  My hubby loves chili with peanut butter sandwiches - no this is not a typo - peanut butter sandwiches!  Double cut those fresh veggies when you make the cream chicken and serve those here as well! 

Meal #2 - Pizza Subs!  Grab some hoagie buns.  Mix pizza sauce with beef.  Mozzarella cheese is on sale.  Christy at Southern Plate has a easy recipe that we love.  These are great if you have a night where everyone is eating at a different time.  If that is the case - have an easy side but if you can eat together - this sounds like a good meal to have some fries with it.

Idea #6 - Chicken and Rice-A-Roni.  You seeing a pattern with me - chicken is on sale - we are eating chicken!  This is an easy easy meal.  Rice-A-Roni is on sale for $1!  You just need to get a 16 oz can of Stewed Tomatoes for this one. 

Some other quick ideas - pork loin with applesauce....  hot dogs n' kraut....  stuffed peppers....

Friends - My Friday Thoughts

I am the kind of person if asked the question - would you rather spend an evening with a whole group of people or with one or two people - I would answer one or two people every time.  without a thought.    I tend to have close friends and not a lot of them...  true friends...  fight to the end for friends...  And that is why today - when one of my dearest friends called me upset - I was ready to roll.   Mother Lion all the way... ~pause for a bit~ But....................... this was not my battle to fight - however, it bothered me all the same...  because I know how good a person my friend is....  She is loyal, kind, and to me - a sign of all things good in life...

So to my dear friend - and you know who you are...  some people are sandpaper in your life...  they are rough and they feel awful...  But they too are gifts - consider them traffic cops...  they are God's way of guiding you to where you need to be...  Offer them up...   Know that you don't ever want to be like them...  Learn from them...  And do everything in your power - to get the heck away from them......  

Happy Birthday #2!

So yesterday was my #2's birthday!  I can hardly believe that 5 years has gone by!  I can remember holding her in my arms the first time...  seeing her (and all her wild hair) and thinking oh my my my - I have a little girl.  I am not much of a girly girl myself - so I must admit I was more than a little afriad of raising her...  But this little girl and I are doing just fine...

One thing I remember thinking when she was born (as I did for all 3 of my kids), I prayed that she would have an independent soul...  that she would be able to think for herself...  trust herself to do the right thing...  be proud of herself...  and like herself...   On this prayer, I think it is being answered...   And I know this because on many occasions I have (or others have) asked her what she wants to be when she grows up...  she simply says, me.   How awesome is that?  Me, I want to be Me.  There is such an innocence in that statement, but it is also so profound... Independent soul - so far, I think so.

Clipart courtesy of Vintage Holiday Crafts free clipart.

Have Some Time? Like to Bake?

The Wheeling, WV chapter of Easter Seals is preparing now for its Annual Cookie Caper.  If you love to bake, they sure could use a hand.  More information including contact information is located on their website.  Check it out!

It's Friday

Hello!  It is Friday!  I am feeling a bit under the weather today.  Excited for a few days to rest!  My sister is coming home for a visit so I am looking forward to that. 

I took this photo of my #2 the other day.  She had no idea I was taking a picture of her.  She was just playing with the leaves.  How sweet is that?  Total pleasure!!!!  I love those moments when you are watching someone and they don't know it - and your heart totally swells!  I am just thinking to myself...  that is my little girl and I love her. so. very. much.

Enjoy!

Krogering Ideas Week of 10-5-2009 - 10-11-2009

Just thinking tonight what I would like to make for dinner this week... So I got out my Kroger Ad and started to brainstorm...

Idea #1 - Sausage Casserole. Comfort food all the way. Jimmy Dean sausage is on sale BOGO. I use a box of cooked macaroni, 1 lb of cooked, drained sausage, some milk and flour, and cheddar cheese. Think tuna noodle casserole with a twist. Very very good! Check out Jimmy Dean's web site - they have tons of great dinner ideas. Use the other roll for a breakfast treat - or freeze it until you want to make another casserole.

Idea #2 - Pot Roast. What could be better than a crock pot meal? English roasts are BOGO. I have noticed that generally the BOGO meat specials are a pretty good deal. I always use one and freeze one. Try some Lipton Onion soup to season it. And whatever you do, don't forget to add the potatoes, onions, and carrots. Take advantage of all the apple sales right now - make some applesauce with this. Mmmmmm.... (I know you can buy it - but it is really very easy to make).

Idea #3 - Mac & Cheese - homemade just like Mom did. Well, OK my Mom never did - she was a Kraft kind of gal... but I imagine her mac and cheese to taste something like this compliments of Southern Plate. Cheese is on sale and you can get macaroni pretty cheap. {One time I tried hiding cauliflower in the mac and cheese - trying to get the kids to eat it. Not only did they not eat the cauliflower, they didn't eat the mac and cheese. Do. not. try. it.} Serve this with Campbell's Select Harvest Soup - also on sale.

Idea #4 - Roasted Balsamic Chicken Thighs. I must admit I am more of a white meat chicken person... But this... mmmmm... Mary over @ Deep Dish South has the idea. Most of what you need you probably have in your pantry. Thighs are on sale! You will also need potatoes, an onion, and a lemon. Serve with a nice side salad. And I bet some Sister Schubert's Rolls or Texas Toast (both on sale) would make this a nice traditional Sunday dinner.

Idea #5 - Seafood Night! How about steamed shrimp? Kroger shrimp is on sale. Steam them with some Old Bay and dip em in you favorite cocktail sauce! Serve some Green Giant Steamers on the side (on sale) as well some angel hair pasta with garlic butter sauce! If your kids are like mine and not into shrimp - Van de Kamp's Fish Sticks are on sale.

Idea #6 - Chicken Sandwiches. Nothing fancy here! Places to go, people to see! Tyson chicken is on sale. Buy buns - lettuce, tomato, cheese. Make a small relish tray for your side - carrots, cukes, celery (we love stuffed with cream cheese!), pickles - whatever you have! Then make a little fruit tray as well - pineapple and strawberries are on sale. Buy one or two Yoplait vanilla yogurt to use as dip!

Idea #7 - Pork Chops or Pork Loin! Whatever your pleasure here. I am leaning toward grilled chops here. I probably will buy a big bag of potatoes and make some mashed as a side. Or I might make some rice. Salad all the way too! Not wanting to waste a thing that I need in the other meals.


Remember to check out Southern Savers for potential coupon matches esp for the frozen stuff. Her deals/prices are not all the same because she is in a different region - but the coupons will work the same.

Krogering this Week

What to make for dinner? The question of all questions! What to make so that it makes the most economical sense... So let's get out the Kroger Ad for the Columbus, OH region...

Cabbage is cheap and I bet you have precooked ground beef stored in your freezer. How about busy day cabbage rolls. Think cabbage rolls lasagna style. Layer, don't roll. Mmmmm!

Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce is on sale - $1!!! Last week, I tried something different - I made the noodles ahead, put them in my 9x13 pan and poured sauce all over them. Covered with foil. Then I put it in my oven to warm. Benefits - no sauce splatters! And my kitchen pans were all cleaned up before dinner! That to me is always the bummer about spaghetti - easy, yes. Messy, yes. But now I have a system!

Honeysuckle turkey tenderloins are on sale for $5.99. These are my new favorite easy dinner. Add some $1 bag Kroger vegetables for the sides to one of these. My goodness are they good! (Buy more than one and freeze - you never know when you need a quick dinner!)

Honeysuckle ground turkey is on sale. Give a little love to your heart and use ground turkey for a change in lieu of beef. Think chili, think sloppy joes, think meatloaf (just season it good)... You can't go wrong. Potatoes are always cheap - they would round out the meal nice.

Chicken breasts are on sale for $1.78. How do I love thee? Let me count the chicken recipes I can think of. Grill em, bread & bake em, put some Rice-a-roni in a skillet and cook em... Don't forget a fresh salad for this week. And remember - get extra and freeze them. Put two in a freeze bag and then you can get out just what you need.

Comfort food - how I love comfort food. Kroger's deli has American cheese for $2.99 a pound (remember to tell them to paper it). Get it, some Kroger bread, and a few cans of Campbell's Tomato soup. Grilled cheese and tomato soup! This is an easy dinner but a crowd favorite at my house! Go nuts in the chicken and make dessert today bc dinner was so easy! This cake is soooo moist - try it! Note: Strawberries are on sale too!

Breakfast for dinner! Kroger buns and syrup are on sale. Get em! Tracie, what are you thinking? buns and syrup! French toast it is! I read this recipe and would have never believed it had I not tried it myself. Honestly, the recipe is just like normal french toast - but using buns. What a great idea! I never throw buns out anymore. Wonderful! Bob Evans sausage links are on sale also.

That is it for this week! Be inspired!

Stepping Up & Stepping Back

I am sure you have heard someone say - step up in some form or another. Step up to the plate... Step up to the task... whatever... but until this weekend, I never heard anyone use the term step up with the term step back. Meaning... if you want someone to step up then maybe you need to step back. WOW. I thought that was absolutely the smartest thing I have ever heard. But then... I mentally get the concept - but how do you do that? how do you step back? I wonder...... pausing to think a bit. But then again - maybe working hard at stepping back will get you what you want in the end... Maybe learning how to step back will be worth it...

So today, I am going to think about this concept... stepping back... and then seeing who can step up... maybe we can all grow... I wonder if my family and my co-workers will notice...

Chestnut Trees and Mums!

Today is usually my least favorite day of the year. You see we have 3 chestnut trees in our yard - and they are plentiful! As are the badgers as we like to call them. Every year for this one day, my hubby and I contemplate cutting the trees down - because, frankly, cleaning up badgers stinks. And we never benefit from the chestnuts - because we can never beat the deer to them.

But today, my dad and my hubby - best. guys. ever. did chestnut tree duty without me. ~dancing~ ~dancing~ ~dancing~!!! So now I get to go to the store and purchase my mums and fall up my yard! I get all the fun work. I could not be happier!

Happy weekend!

Almost Heaven

So this is my first real post. I have a few blogs I love to read and was so inspired I wanted to create my own. So this is it. I have been putting off writing because in my mind I was trying to create the prefect blog - but today I thought I am just going to do it. Write Tracie write!

I am a Mom - my best job ever! I have three little ones, six and under. They are fantastic kids. I try to raise them and teach them things that I think Aunt Bee and Andy would approve of. (Andy Griffith - all time. best. show. ever.) So this summer, my neighbor's granddaughter sang and signed for me the song Country Roads. My middle daughter was blown away by it - asking me to sing it for her after we left my neighbors. Now I can sing - but it is the kind of singing that is best done when no one is around - but for my kids - I am constantly belting out a tune. So I sang a few times and that was that.

Switch now to about two weeks ago. The song kept popping into my head - so I bought it and downloaded it. I surprised the kids by popping the song into my CD player in the car. And since then we have played it.... hmmmm.... at least a thousand times. But you know what? - my kids almost know all the words. My two year old can even sing the refrain (and it adorable by the way!).

So why is this important? This song has great memories for me and I want my kids to have songs that take them back... For me, WV is home. Also, I remember fondly playing this song on an 8 track at our cabin growing up. (I was born at the tail end of the 8 track era - oh my.) You could hear Country Roads and Burning Ring of Fire playing all the time at the camp. My sister and I loved those songs. Great memories of playing cards, singing along with my family - sitting on carpet squares that didn't match. How abut spinning on the great green chair! Remember that Aimee? Great days for sure! Third, I am a WV Alumni. So I can hear the marching band playing this song at football games. Flooded with memories of sitting in the rain watching football at Mountaineer Field...

I wonder if my kids will remember singing this song in the van... loud and laughing? I wonder if we will remember our faces when we heard my 2 year old start belting it out in tune? I sure hope so... because it was and is awesome everytime it happens.