Book Review: Amish Proverbs {And A Giveaway!!}

Simplify your life with Amish wisdom.

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Ever since I read The Choice I have been a fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher. So, when the opportunity came up to review her book Amish Proverbs - and give away a copy! - I jumped at the chance.

This book is full of wonderful Amish wisdom separated into topics such as Time, Money, Faith, Children & Family, Handling Adversity and Character. Throughout the book are beautiful photos of the simplicity of Amish living.

I put a sticky note next to all my favourite proverbs so I could share them with you but there are so many!

So, I'll narrow it down to a few that really spoke to where I am today.

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see

When you speak, always remember that God is one of your listeners

If you sense your faith is unraveling, go back to where you dropped the thread of obedience

A wife will make or break a household

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly

Be kind to unkind people. They probably need kindness the most

You can tell a man's character by what he turns up when offered a job - his nose or his sleeves

So many good ones!

When I think back to my childhood and the sayings we would say, two come to mind: 1) keep your hands to yourself! and 2) treat others as you'd like to be treated.

I'm so excited to be able to give away a copy of this book! Would you like a chance to win it?

All you have to do is leave a comment tell me if you had a special proverb or saying that you grew up with in your home. That's it!

I'll choose a winner using Random.org on Saturday.

Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

I'd Like To Thank The Academy...

I really enjoy blogging. It's nice to have a place to come to pour out my feelings, share my baking attempts, tell a funny story and to document our daily lives.

It amazes me that people actually read what I write, and enjoy it enough to comment on it.

Amazes me.

There's a lot of competition in the blog world to be the next big blogger with a huge following.

Huge followings mean ads, and ads equal revenue.

Bloggers are revamping everything about their blogs from style to content in an effort to reach blogging stardom.

Not me. I'm trying to keep it real.

And that's why this award from my bloggy friend Meghan from JaMonkey means so much to me.



I'm supposed to award this to 10 bloggers but I don't think I can choose just 10.

So, I'm going to pick two that have really touched me lately. It's easy to blog about the good stuff that goes on, but these two ladies share their struggles and hurts and disappointments in such an authentic and endearing way.

With that, I pass this award on to:

Beth from Laugh Until You Cry

and

Kristina from Kristina's Cackles

Please visit these ladies and tell them Kate sent ya ;-)

Thank you so much, Meghan !

Some Of This...Some Of That...

I've been having a hard time getting back into the swing of things since returning from the cottage last week.

I'm missing this view off the deck:



~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sam got a bad sunburn while we were away. Before you scold me for not applying sunscreen.... I told him to put it on and he declined.



The pain is gone thank goodness, but now the peeling has started. I want to pick his shoulders so badly I can't even tell you. Instead, I remind him to put hand cream on it several times throughout the day.

But I really want to pick it.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

We had some drama here this morning. Jordan loves to throw things at people. Toys, clothes, remotes. Whatever's handy. Hardly an acceptable or endearing quality, and definitely one we're working on.

Today she threw one of her board books at Julie and it hit her in the corner of her eye. Screaming and crying ensued. Even after applying an ice pack, Jules will sport a bit of a black eye.

Sisters. Gotta love 'em.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

I'm in the process of updating my resume. Once that's done, I'll call my contact at the agency that placed me last year and see if they have any open positions that start in the very near future.

I'm scared to return to work. I don't know why, I'm good at what I do. It's been a long time and I'm out of practice.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Want to hear something lame? Camp Rock 2 is on this Friday night and I've been looking forward to it all summer.

Told ya. Lame.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

I need to get a pair of binoculars. Last night there was some police action going on across the street and I couldn't make it out. There were two cruisers and one car, and officers were looking through the car with flashlights.

A girl needs to be in the know, you know.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

I can't believe school starts next week. The summer passed by so quickly. The children aren't very excited about going back. I need to get their hair cut, something Julie loves and Sam hates. I want him to cut off his hair so badly that I have resorted to making deals with him.

That concludes my rambling for today.

Happy Monday :-)

Talk To The Hand

Something tells me that a certain someone is tired of having her picture taken...

Home From The Cottage

I need to win the lottery so I can buy a cottage.

Seriously.

Mom originally invited us to come from Friday to Monday, but then on Sunday asked if we would like to stay until Wednesday.

Um....YES!

Unfortunately, Ian had to return to work for Tuesday morning, and we had our zoo of pets at home to think about. So he went home on Monday and made the 2-hour drive back on Wednesday night - after a full day of work - to pick us up to take us home. Actually, by the time he made it through all the traffic, it was closer to 3 hours.

Wasn't that so sweet?

I know.

Back off girls, this one is mine.

I loved this time with my mother. Loved it. It's been forever since we vacationed together and this time with her was such a gift. I loved seeing her so content and happy as she drank her coffee on the deck overlooking the beach.

We talked and talked and talked. And read and laughed lots and watched lame reality tv shows at night. She tried her first s'more ever on Sunday night. I slept well each night from all the fresh air, and knowing she was just down the hall.

The children swam for hours and hours, coming home only to eat something before heading back out. Pool, lunch, mini-golf, snack, beach, dinner, pool, snack, out to hear tribute bands at the funplex, bed. They are sunburned, exhausted and happy. Thank you Lord, for Solarcaine and aloe!

Jordan - my water hating priss - eventually warmed up to the idea of being in the lake. By our last day there she was walking in the water and even sat down to splash. She loved throwing rocks as far as she could and playing in the sand. She would walk through the cottage chanting "beach...beach...beach..." Actually, "beach" usually sounded like something that rhymes with "witch" if you catch my drift.

Willow was insanely excited to see us when we got home. "Crazy hyper" doesn't even cover him. Finally he just threw himself on the floor, tail wagging like crazy, all spent. He hasn't left my side since we got home!

This was my mom's first vacation in years and years, and she shared it with us. How loving is that?? She even invited my nephew's best friend to join them from Wednesday to Friday.

I am so excited....she's talking about booking another week next summer. YES!

I wanted to post some pictures to show you but for some reason Hans (my HP Touchsmart supposed to be so perfect computer) isn't co-operating. I'll try again another day.

I have laundry to do, bags to unpack, and a house to get in order.

Thanks for having us Mom! We love you!!

Book Review: Outlive Your Life

These are difficult days in our world's history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Whenever I get the opportunity to read a Max Lucado book, I know I'm in for a life changing experience.

The theme of Max's latest book is what you do here can have an impact long after you have left this earth. Who you are, what you do with what you have, how you interact with others will be the measure of how you lived your life.

I want to know that I lived my life well.

But I am aware that I am not living it well right now. There are many people I could be reaching out to, listening to, connecting with, helping, encouraging...

But I'm not.

I have become almost unfeeling to the suffering of the world. My heart can't take the hurt that is out there, so I put up walls.

Reading this book has reminded me that I don't have to do huge acts to touch someone and show them the love of God. Just looking them in the eye, offering them a hand, sharing a lunch... it's all a start.

Max brings Biblical stories to life in modern day with such clarity and a touch of humour, allowing the reader to get a true sense of what that particular situation was like. He tells us we don't have to be these hugely important people in order for God to use us. He says "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called." Isn't that great news?

I love how he writes as though he's talking to me across a coffee shop table, telling me truths in his gentle, clear ways.

This book would be a fantastic selection for a Bible study. At the end of each chapter there is a prayer, and at the back of the book is a Discussion and Action Guide to get conversation flowing and minds thinking.

A fabulous read, certain to get you out of the slumps of laziness and out into the world reaching others.

I love how Max says this: "Here's a salute to a long life: goodness that outlives the grave, love that outlasts the final breath. May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life."

"Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available September 2010 at your favourite bookseller.

Cottage Life

I could get used to this life.

We arrived at 3:00 on Friday afternoon, checked in by 4:00, and were all unpacked and relaxing by 5:00.

Yesterday Mom rented a golf cart for us to drive around. It was so much fun! I've never driven one before. Ian let all three children practice driving it on the beach.

My children and nephew have been swimming, swimming, SWIMMING, both on the beach and in the pool. Yesterday they took a break to mini golf and play on the huge sand dunes.

I think the children and I will stay a few extra days. I'm loving this time with my mother.

Talk to you soon!

So Excited!

If you've been following me on Twitter, or happen to know me in real life, then you've probably gotten used to me saying I'm so excited!! by now.

Because I am so excited!

My mom rented a cottage for a week and she leaves tomorrow. I am so happy for her because she hasn't had a vacation in years. She was there for a weekend in June and we joined her there for the day. It made me so happy to see her so content and rested, with some sun on her face.

So here's the I'm so excited part.... she's invited us to come for the weekend!! We're leaving tomorrow as well and will return on Monday.

Don't try to rob my house while we're gone...I have peeps watching out for us everywhere ;-)

I.can't.wait. I haven't vacationed with my mom in almost 14 years and have been wanting to for so, so long. And to go with my whole family is such a blessing.

Tomorrow night we're planning to go and see the fireworks, then we'll sit around the fire and make s'mores. YUM! I might even join in on some Beach Yoga on Saturday morning :-)

I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to show you.

So excited!!

Tuesday's Treats ~ Mint Chocolate Cake

My Ian loves mint and chocolate.

Put them together and that man is in heaven.

So... I did :-)

~ Mint Chocolate Cake ~



You'll Need:
1 chocolate cake mix
For Frosting:
1/2 a cup of butter, softened
2 cups of confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon of water
1/2 a teaspoon of peppermint extract
3 drops of green food colouring
For Topping:
1 & 1/2 cups of chocolate chips
6 tablespoons of butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract

Step One:
Prepare cake batter according to the directions on the box. Pour into a greased (bottom only!) 13 x 9 inch pan and bake for 35 minutes.

Step Two:
In a large bowl, combine frosting ingredients and beat until smooth. Spread over cake.

Step Three:
For topping, melt the butter and chocolate chips in the microwave. Beat until smooth. Stir in extract. Spread over frosting and refrigerate until set.

I am not a huge minty fan personally, so I didn't know if I would even end up trying this cake.

BUT!

I did, and it's so light and has just the right amount of mint. I really liked it.

Ian's rating: 8/10

Book Review: The Reluctant Entertainer

True hospitality is not about being perfect, cooking a fancy meal, or spending a lot of money. Rather, it's about an open door and an open heart.

Popular blogger Sandy Coughlin offers a simple but savvy approach to help women break free of the anxieties that keep them from opening their homes.

Emphasizing the forgotten goal of entertaining--connecting deeply with others--she shows how women can use the gifts and talents God gave them to reach out in love.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

I don't know about you, but I am definitely a reluctant entertainer. So when the opportunity arose for me to review this book, I was all.over.it. I couldn't wait to have it in my hot little hands.

Just look at that book cover. Does it just ooze charm and hospitality? And that's just the cover. It's full of ideas inside.

Author Sandy Coughlin is absolutely delightful and her passion for entertaining and building relationships pours from every page. Her gift of hospitality is contagious.

She touches on every topic ~ who to invite, how to serve, what to serve, how to set a lovely table, how to ensure that conversation flows and includes everyone, and my personal favourite... how to let go of perfectionism and perceived expectations.

I am a very nervous hostess. Let me rephrase that for you. I'm a very, very nervous hostess. I usually start stressing out moments after the invitation has been given. What will I serve? What if my house isn't clean enough? Will they notice that spot on my carpet? Is my house good enough to have guests over? What will we talk about?

And so on, and so on.

I have missed countless opportunities for fellowship because of my internal dialogue.

Sandy talks about where to find great table settings and decor on the cheap but classy, how to set a mood and to reach all five senses.

And the recipes... Oh I have to tell you about her mouth watering recipes! They are interspersed throughout her book for dishes like Chicken Divan, homemade ice cream and Dill Bread.

But that's not all. She even gives several suggestions (including recipes!) of appetizers, main courses and desserts! I love it when the guesswork is taken out of entertaining.

She told me (yes, by reading her book she is, in my mind, my new bestie) how to organize and stock my pantry so I'm always organized and ready. She told me how to budget my time so I'm not running around like a chicken with her head cut off on Dinner Party Day. And - oh, take a moment to savour this thought with me - she even encourages that everything be ready to go one hour before the guests arrive so I can relax.

I cannot even imagine what that would feel like, not after years of doing that final 3-minute-race-around-the-house-to-make-sure-that-things-are-ready-while-shrieking-at-my-husband-and-children thing I always seem to do.

But this book has sparked something in me and makes me feel like maybe I don't have to have a perfect table, (or carpet, or decor, etc) to have guests over. That hospitality isn't about showing people what you have or don't have. It's about connecting with others in a comfortable setting and making them feel welcome in my home.

I can do this!

If you are a reluctant entertainer like I am, I strongly suggest that you pick up this book. It is more than worth it.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Saturday Afternoon Sewing Project: Toddler Nightgown

I've been itching to sew lately, so I pulled out a project I started a few months ago but ended up putting away.

Remember when I made this nightgown for Jordan?

It was hard! All sorts of gathering and itty bitty arm holes.

BAH!

This time I chose the nightgown on the bottom left of this pattern.



(Ignore the big pink arrow, that was the first night gown I made)

I had cut the pieces out a few months ago and then packed it away. I'm glad this part was already done because not only does it take (me!) a lot of time to cut out the pieces, it makes me very nervous in case I do it wrong.

I pulled out the instructions and decided to work on it for as long as I could before I needed to place a 911 call to my mom for help.

About ten minutes in I gave up on the instructions because I couldn't make sense of them and decided to just wing it. How hard could it be to sew a few pieces together?

I'd love to be able to insert a tutorial here (ha ha ha!) but I don't think anyone would be too impressed with how I completed this project! Both my mother and my mother-in-laws are fantastic sewers (or is that seamstresses?) and they would have just sat shaking their heads at me the entire time.

And here it is, all finished:

**special thanks to Ian for making my pic look all pretty!

Jordan was dancing around while we took pictures, and was so excited when I put it on her. It was about two inches off the ground, which is good, but it kept getting tangled around her feet when she was climbing all over the couch. Every time her toes got caught she'd yell "Ow!Ow!Ow! HEP! HEP!"

Eventually she stopped asking for help and started trying to free herself, end ended up ripping the skirt part from the bodice.

Sigh.

Oh well. I'll fix it eventually.

While it is far, far from perfect, it does look like a nightgown, and I did it all by myself.

Throughout the process of making these two nightgowns, I have learned that I don't like sewing clothing. I prefer to sew things with straight lines.

Someday I'd like to make curtains for my kitchen. That should be a good Straight Line Project!

5QF ~ Aug 14 Vloggy Style

Want to play along? Head on over to Mama M's blog My Little Life and get in on the fun!

Ch-ch-changes

I had the hardest time falling asleep last night. Finally I gave up trying at 3am and came downstairs to watch tv until 4:30.

Lots going on here these days.

Most notably, I will be returning to work in the very near future. Hopefully not for forever, but definitely for an undetermined length of time.

I'm trying so hard to be gracious about it instead of being miserable like I was last year when Ian was laid off.

I don't think I'm succeeding and end up trying not to talk about it at all.

But last night... ugh. I felt like my chest was being crushed with anxiety and breathing was hard. Ever been so sad that you can't even cry? That's what I felt like last night.

I have been a stay at home mom for almost three years now, with the exception of the four month temp assignment last year.

I love being at home. I am happy here.

I started thinking about who I would find to watch Jordan. How would we get three kids up, dressed and out the door to get to work on time, with only one car?

What if one of the children was sick?

What about Willow? He is still crated when we go out because he eats everything. He'll be confined all day. What kind of a life is that for him?

I remember what life was like when we both worked. It was rushed and hectic. The house was a mess and we ate a lot of takeout. I couldn't keep up with everything and I was exhausted all the time. Now we have one more child and I just can't imagine how I'll do it all.

I remember feeling like a failure and I'm not too anxious to go back to that.

I know. Women all over the world go out to work every single day and they aren't complaining about it.

I know.

I just feel so sad.

No more Bible study on Wednesday mornings.

No more leisurely visits with my mom.

My mom has offered to watch Jordan for the first month so we I can get a couple of paycheques in the bank before I start having to pay huge daycare fees, and to give her a chance to get used to not being with me all day.

I'll need new clothes and shoes.

And get my hair done.

Sigh.

I keep hoping that something will come up so that I can continue to stay at home but there is nothing.

Ugh. I don't even want to talk about it anymore.

I'm going to bed.

/end whine

Colossal Baking Fail

I thought it would be fun to introduce Jordan to the wonderful hobby of baking.

I decided that we would use this recipe for chocolate chip cookies.

I washed her little hands and pulled a chair up to the counter so she could work at her eye level.

She chattered away as we worked together, waving her hands and speaking very excitedly, eyes wide.

She added the ingredients I measured out with such....flair.

And when I say flair I mean messy.

I loved how she'd shout "YAY!" and clap her little hands after each step.

I was so distracted by her total adorableness that I may have incorrectly measured an ingredient.

Flour.

I only added 1 1/4 cups when I should have added 2 1/4 cups.



And I left them in the oven too long.

Oops.

Did I mention I was distracted by her adorableness??

So, this is the disaster that is sitting on my kitchen counter right now.



Not the first baking fail, and certainly not the last.

I won't be firing my little "sous baker" quite yet.

Book Review: The Bishop

FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers's cutting-edge 21st-century geospatial investigative techniques and impeccable logic have helped him track some of the country's most grisly killers. But those skills are pushed to the limit in this new installment of the highly-acclaimed, award-winning The Bowers Files series. This time it's a congressman's daughter who is found dead even as her killers launch a spree of perfect murders in the Northeast. With nothing to link the crimes to each other, Agent Bowers faces his most difficult case yet--even as his personal life begins to crumble around him.

Known for his intricately woven, masterfully plotted novels of high-octane action and spine-tingling suspense, Steven James delivers once again. The Bishop is a gripping, adrenaline-laced story for readers who are tired of timid thrillers.

Strap on your seatbelt and get ready for a wild ride. The game is on.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Oh.my.word.

I don't even know where to START to review this book.

Fantastic. Suspenseful. Riveting. Masterful storytelling.

Oh yes.

Apparently this book is the third in a series, but was fabulous as a stand alone novel. The author creates vibrant (and creepy!) characters that keep you hooked. The storyline is fast paced and I found myself reading late into the night, unable to put it down. Preparing my daughter's breakfast, novel in hand.

It was that good.

Just when I thought I knew what was going on, the story would change and I'd realize I was wrong. Twists and turns everywhere!

I liked the different story lines that occurred throughout the novel, and how they all tied together in the end.

This is - by far - one of the best suspense novels I have read in a very, very long time. I'm going to have to look into the author's other work to see if I like it as much.

PLEASE NOTE: With the offer to review this book came a very heavy warning that stated the book contained violence and graphic descriptions of disturbing crime scenes, taking the reader inside the minds of psychopathic killers. Please keep this in mind should you decide to read this book for yourself.

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Tuesday's Treats ~ Grandma's Homemade Brownies

Sam and Julie had a wonderful time at their grandparents house this weekend. They went swimming and fishing, saw a parade, went to a festival and saw Toy Story 3.

It sure feels good to have them home again, let me tell you. The house feels so empty when they're gone. Jordan missed them a lot too.

My mother-in-law always bakes something with the children when they come to visit for a weekend, which is something they always look forward to. They even packed their aprons :-)

This weekend they made brownies, and we thought it would be a great idea for them to share their creation with you for this week's Tuesday's Treat.

And so, we present to you Grandma's Homemade Brownies!



You'll Need:

1 cup of Crisco oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1 1/2 cups of flour
2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of cocoa
1 tsp of salt
*add 1/2 cup of nuts if desired

Step One:
In a large bowl, beat all wet ingredients together, mixing well. Add dry ingredients.

Step Two:
Spread batter in a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Step Three:
Once cooled, sprinkle icing sugar over the top using a fine sieve. Cut into squares.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

These are so good!

You know what makes them so amazing? The fact that my little people made them ;-)

Have a great day!

Too Quiet

Sigh.

My house feels so empty since Sam and Julie left to spend a few days at their grandparents' house. They left at 2:30 with no tears this time.

Well...no tears on their part anyway.

After they left I put Jordan down for her nap and the house was so quiet. Our morning together was so boisterous and busy and full of life while everyone pitched in with the housework, dog walking, playing with Jordan and laundry.

When they left the house was so silent.

At first I was all excited. I may even have sighed in satisfaction at some quiet time.

I made mac & cheese for my lunch and didn't have to share.

I tried to turn on the tv but I couldn't get the 8,000 remotes to work together to get things going so I was out of luck there. I'd have to miss my daily appointment with Dr. Phil.

Then I decided to read for a bit. I'm reading Twilight right now. Yes, I know...I'm very late to the Twilight party. It isn't bad. I even re-watched the movie recently and I didn't hate it as much as I did the first time. I think Edward looks like Bert from Sesame Street. The book describes Edward as being beautiful and well... let's just say the casting could be better.

But...I couldn't find my book. I think Jordan put it somewhere because she loves to hide my things.

So I read some blogs and tweeted and emailed.

Then I sort of wandered around the house, looking out the windows, wondering how long Jordan was going to nap for, and thinking quiet time might be a bit overrated.

The landscapers came today, so I sat looking out the window watching them while eating ice cream straight from the carton because I'm classy like that, and there weren't any children around to negatively influence.

I started longing for a telemarketer to call so I could talk to someone.

Finally Jordan woke up from her nap and we hung out in the bathroom while she sat on her potty. I sang and read books to her, gave her three small glasses of milk in hopes things would get moving and we fed each other m&ms.

I figured that while we were in there I'd give her a manicure and pedicure. She was fascinated by the nail polish. She was oohing and ahhing and clapping her little hands.

Tomorrow Ian has a meeting downtown first thing in the morning and is hoping to take the remainder of the day off to hang out with us. We're going to try to go on a date in the evening, and then do something fun with Jordan on Saturday.

And then on Sunday we get to pick up the children and bring them home!! I miss them so much when they're away.

What are your plans for the weekend?

And That's How The Fight Started

My friend Dawn emailed this to me the other day and I thought it was worth sharing here.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift...

The next year, I didn't buy her a gift.

When she asked me why, I replied,

"Well, you still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!"

And that's how the fight started.....

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

My wife and I were watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire while we were in bed.

I turned to her and said, 'Do you want to have Sex?'

'No,' she answered. I then said,

'Is that your final answer?'

She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying, 'Yes..'

So I said, "Then I'd like to phone a friend."

And that's when the fight started...

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

I took my wife to a restaurant.

The waiter, for some reason, took my order first.

"I'll have the rump steak, rare, please."

He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"

"Nah, she can order for herself."

And that's when the fight started.....

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school reunion, and she

kept staring at a drunken man swigging his drink as he sat alone at a nearby table.

I asked her, "Do you know him?"

"Yes", she sighed,

"He's my old boyfriend.... I understand he took to drinking right after we

split up those many years ago, and I hear he hasn't been sober since."

"My God!" I said, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"

And then the fight started...

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me

that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take

care of first, the shed, the boat, making beer.. Always something more

important to me. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.

When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily

snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for

a short time and then went into the house.. I was gone only a minute, and

when I came out again I handed her a toothbrush. I said, "When you finish

cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway."

The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

My wife sat down next to me as I was flipping channels.

She asked, "What's on TV?"

I said, "Dust."

And then the fight started...

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch, and

slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked up the boat up to the van, and

proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour. The wind was blowing 50 mph, so I

pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the

weather would be bad all day. I went back into the house, quietly

undressed, and slipped back into bed.. I cuddled up to my wife's back, now with a

different anticipation, and whispered, "The weather out there is terrible."

My loving wife of 5 years replied, "And, can you believe my stupid husband

is out fishing in that?"

And that's how the fight started...

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.

She said, "I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds."

I bought her a bathroom scale.

And then the fight started......

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security.

The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's License to verify my age.

I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home.

I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later.

The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt'.

So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair.

She said, 'That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me' and she

processed my Social Security application..

When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office...

She said, 'You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten disability, too.'

And then the fight started...

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

My wife was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.

She was not happy with what she saw and said to me,

"I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly.

I really need you to pay me a compliment.'

I replied, "Your eyesight's damn near perfect."

And then the fight started........

Tuesday's Treats ~ Ice Cream Sandwiches

I love a homemade fresh chocolate chip cookie.

Slightly warm, please and thank you.

I tried out a new chocolate chip cookie recipe today and fell in love with it. As I munched on one of them I thought "is there anything in the world that would make this cookie taste any better?"

Oh yes.

Ice cream.

My favourite summertime treat is the ice cream sandwich, and so, that's what I decided to make for you today.



You'll Need:
2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of salt
1 cup of butter, softened
3/4 cup of sugar
3/4 cup of packed brown sugar
1 tsp of vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups of chocolate chips

Toss all ingredients into a large bowl and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. (I added more than 2 cups because I love an ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookie)

Drop by rounded spoonful onto a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes

Just before the cookies have almost cooled completely, add a scoop of your favourite ice cream between two cookies and press gently. Roll in sprinkles or eat it as is.

Easy peasy, just the way I like things.

Have a wonderful day!

Sam's Birthday

Yesterday was Sam's 11th birthday, and as I always do on each of the children's birthdays...I cried.

It's so hard to believe that I've been a mother for 11 years already. I look at Jordan racing around and it seems that Sam was that size not very long ago.

He is such a great kid. Quick witted and kind.

I'd love to be able to post a picture of him here, but he doesn't like having his picture taken.

BOOOOOO!

He showed me his birthday wish list about a month ago, and guess what he had written on it?

A pillowcase made by Mom in a sports theme.

*tear*

What my boy wants, my boy shall get!

I decided to make him three cases, so he could have a choice and to be able to swap them out whenever he wanted.

I had leftover fabric, so I decided to pick up a couple of towels and sew a strip of fabric on each to match his pillow cases.



He loved them. He changed his pillowcases right then and there and declared he'd be having a bath soon and using one of his new towels. I was worried he would think it was a dorky gift, but I shouldn't have been. He was so excited.

Being a novice at sewing, it was really, really exciting to make something for someone else and have it turn out and be appreciated.

We always give a gift to Julie on Sam's birthday (and a gift to Sam on Julie's birthday) so I gave her a towel as well.



We went to my mom's house for burgers and cake for Sam's family party.



The table was so loud with the kids talking and joking. I love loud & happy family dinners like that. I am so crazy about my family.

This week I will be doing the children's laundry and getting them packed and ready to go to their grandparents for the weekend. My inlaws are coming for them on Thursday afternoon and we'll pick them up on Sunday to bring them home. I'm sad already. I miss them when they're away. Jordan will be home with us, and we're hoping to find someone to watch her for a few hours so we can go and see a movie.

That's all....Happy Monday!

Things Kids Do That I Don't Understand ~ Take Three

I love baking as you know by now.

Baking puts my mind in my 'happy place'. I putter around, doing my thing and I am (for the most part!) relaxed and happy.

My children also enjoy baking. Julie has made fabulous Fat Archie Cookies and Sam loves to bake cakes.

I had some bananas that I had to use up, so I asked Jules if she'd like to try her hand at making banana bread. She was all over that idea.

She carefully measured everything, cracked eggs with precision, and mixed it up like a pro.

One hour later we pulled out the most delicious smelling banana bread you could imagine. I couldn't wait for it to cool so I could transfer it to a plate and photograph it to show you her awesome job.

I went upstairs to put Jordan down for her afternoon nap, then stretched out on my bed in front of the fan to cool off. I was gone for maybe 20 minutes tops.

I came downstairs and took one look at her banana bread and just about fell over.

**please excuse my pan-it's a million years old**

Apparently someone couldn't wait for me to put it on a plate or to take a picture of it.

Who does that?

Kids do that.

I don't get it.

I mean, I do get it. The top is the best part of the whole thing, but come on!

I called Ian at work to tell him but I got zero sympathy from him. In fact, he laughed at me.

I know. I couldn't believe it either.

I cut the top off and stuck it under glass to keep it fresh.

I will never understand kids.