Suggestions?

I am invited to a cookie exchange on Saturday. The toffee bits I made today, seem a little "off", but I will probably serve them up anyway. Regardless, any quick, easy, and interesting holiday cookie or treat ideas...comment please.

Smiles, please

Part II: I suspect this may ruin my woodwork, but the smiley-chart is in place and the transformer action-figures are taped up in plain view. With their prize in sight, I expect results. (Part I: here)

Uncommon Goods

Aren't these lovely? I think they would make a unique and sophisticated hostess gift.

Smiles, please

Priority one today: smiley-chart. Mitch and I have had it. We are exiling the children from our bed. It's beyond ridiculous. In order to do this, I've informed Jack and Sam that we have a real problem at our house. No one seems to want to stay in their bed at night. There were informed that there would be a prize for their success. When you stay in bed all night you will be awarded with a smiley on "your chart" which I will post on their bedroom door. When they have 20 smiley-faces they will win a prize. (I plan to pick up an action-figure today for each of them and it will be hung on the wall so they can see it, but not touch it). My hope, that they will actually win their prize! And, if they don't continue to stay in bed the toy will be returned to me to live in "toy timeout". This should be interesting, watch for updates.

Skipping the gym today...

I am ditching the gym today. In honor of my "skip" enjoy one of my favorite clips from Friends. It's when Chandler takes Ross along with him in his effort to "quit the gym". Love this.

Props to Socks

It's almost the same time every year that I start blogging about socks. Specifically, knee socks. I love 'em and wish I had more of them (see Dear Santa list to the right). They are just the little extra warmth I need on these cold and damp days. Argyle or stripes please.

Side note: I've never gone as far as to wear them with a skirt, but I know plenty of people who do. I usually wear them with tall boots (and pants), so it doesn't even matter the color or pattern.

"the cool girl" in Portland

(Another blog that I stumbled across) This woman in Portland intrigues me. As my blog post indicates, I am just sure she "is the cool girl". She seems to be particular and stylish without being "fussy", witty, interesting, and energetic in a non-annoying way. Check out Portland Sunshine.

Another Favorite Song...What about now.

Confession: I love this version of the ABC song on Disney's Choo Choo Soul

Jingle Cross

Besides getting the tree up, decorating the outside of the house, and eating left-overs, we headed out to watch the Jingle Cross Rock bike race. It's brutal. Biking through grass, mud, sand, and ice, the racers often carrying their bikes up hills and over hurdles. This race has been labeled "heart attack inducing". But, it's fun to watch and cheer on the riders. (And, of course congrats to our friend Doug on his nice finish!)

Miss Kate: Clever

This is the cabinet in the kitchen where we keep rolls of paper towels. Kate spends a lot to time taking the rolls in and out of this cabinet. Kate really took notice of a basket of toilet paper in the bathroom yesterday. She decided that "those rolls" didn't belong there and promptly moved them into the kitchen one roll at a time.

I couldn't make this up...

I would like you to meet my nephew Ryan. I would also like you to admire my lovely place-settings. As we said our blessing today, poor, dear Ryan projectile vomited across the table. Seriously.

Thanksgiving

Woman Serving Thanksgiving for 32 After Craigslist Offer...this is a heart-warming story.

Happy Thanksgiving

This will be our Thanksgiving Blessing:

We thank you, Lord, for all you give; This Thanksgiving holiday with its blessings so grand should serve to remind us of the joys at hand,the friendships we treasure, our families dear, the love we've been given and shared, year to year the food at our tables, where many have none. The dawn of each morning beneath the bright sun. The dreams that we carry; the warmth in our hearts that bring us together when we are apart. Celebrate this time for the beauty abound. Be thankful for all of the blessings we've found for in the end, blessed we will truly be – A soul filled with love, peace and harmony Happy Thanksgiving, we are blessed, indeed. Truly thankful for the love we have shared, selflessly may each road that we travel be paved with a smile. Lord, we pray. And help us all to live our days with thankful hearts and loving ways. Amen.

Dear Santa... ...love Miss Kate

(Kate loves these little cars, she gets the biggest grin on her face when ever she finds herself behind the steering wheel of this fabulous plastic "ride")

Finale

Ahhh, Warren. I knew you didn't have the technique to pull off the win, but was glad to see you were runner-up. Congratulations go out to Brooke, but I have to say it was her partner Derek who was completely "over the moon" with their win!

Counting down...

Starting Monday I give myself full permission to listen to Christmas carols. Yeah, I am starting to get that festive feeling!

Calm, before the storm.

As I think about the things I need to accomplish today I have the feeling that I will be freaking out at some point mid to late afternoon. I am in the office today so not much will get accomplished besides "work stuff". Maybe a list or two for later, but it won't be until I check out for the day that the sheer weight of what I need to do in the next 24 hours will hit me. It was Girl's Night Out last night and by the time I finished my martini my plans to go to the grocery store after went right out the window. So, besides a trip to the grocery store, I need to get the house cleaned, find directions on how long to cook the turkey, set the table, and start food prep. And, my parents are taking the boys home with them on Thursday (until Sunday) so need to get them packed. Bottom line, I am not freaking out yet, but I suspect I will snap at least once (even if just briefly) before serving the turkey (Sorry, Mitch, but that is fair warning)

Thanksgiving Preparation

Well, the turkey plates (thanks mom) are out and my grandmother's china (silver anniversary pattern)has been cleaned. I have platters and trays scattered on the counter, seating charts set, and a list of things to pick up at the store in the next 24 hours. Things are falling into place nicely. Hopefully, the turkey (on Thursday) does too.

Progress...

At church on Sunday the sermon was started with the question "have you made progress this year?" Progress in regards to social, spiritual, ethical, financial, etc. growth. This question left me thinking...

Miss Kate: cute hair, super cute pants...

Of course, click pics for the close-up (excuse her boogie-nose)

My new favorite song...Gavin Rossdale

And some "hotness" too!

I like these...

I would love to have a few of these. I gave up on candles when I lived in Milwaukee and adopted my cat Abe. And then with the addition of another cat and three kids later, not a lot of candles in our house. But, flameless LED candles, fantastic.

What happens when it's February?

A high of 45 degrees is expected today. It makes me wonder when I see folks bundled-to-the-max on their way to work. What will they do in February to stay warm?

Fabulous: Your help

Gravy. How do I make it? Please advise in time for Thanksgiving.

Fabulous: Purpose Textiles & Brandi

I am having a wonderful designer (Brandi Slattery with Purpose Textiles) create some slipcovers for my kitchen chairs. I think this is the fabric I am going to have her use. I can hardly wait for her to start the project and of course, see the finished slipcovers on my chairs. I also think that Brandi is so talented that I'm helping my girlfriend MB host an open house in just a couple of weeks. Brandi makes only custom items, so it's fun to know everything is one-of-a-kind. She is also making a lovely mole-skin jumper/dress for Miss Kate and I would love for her to make Kate's baby-clothes-quilt. (And, maybe slipcover my ottoman and throw-pillows). Yikes, that's a lot of projects, but I love her creations. Anyway, I'm excited about my slipcovers, the open house (many of you will get your invites soon to view her work), and if you want to know more about or get in contact with Brandi let me know. She specializes in furniture slipcovers, custom window treatments, children's clothing, totes, gorgeous (and I really mean that) crib bedding and blankets, ...the possibilities are really endless.

Fabulous: Your own online radio station

I encourage you to check out Pandora to create radio stations for yourself. I have a couple of different ones set up for myself--my Tim McGraw, Holiday, and Blue October stations.

Miss Kate: Guinea Pig

I offered up Kate, as a "subject", at the psych lab today. I like to get the kids on campus and during the studies they get the chance to play different matching-type games. They love it. I think it's her first one, so it will be interesting to see if she cooperates.