A Weekend with Friends

Last weekend, I faced my fear of driving long distances by myself on busy highways in the dark and I went to Ohio to see a few of my college friends.  (It took me 8 hours to get there and 6 to get home . . . lots of construction.) I was proud of myself and I was so glad I went.

We laughed.
We played cards.
We shopped.
We ate out.
We drank coffee.
We stayed up late.
We slept in.
We ate killer brownies.
We talked.


I left Ohio feeling very blessed to have these girls in my life.

"Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief."

- Joseph Addison

Trick or Treat!!!!!

We had a lovely evening to go out gathering candy with friends.  (a little chilly, but beautiful)

Who dat??

Well, it's Drew Brees from the New Orleans Saints, of course! (Jake wanted to be Jermon Bushrod, but we couldn't get his jersey)

I tried to not spend $$ on the costumes this year, so I used an old helmet from the neighbors and spray painted it to look similar to a real Saints helmet.  Here is the "before" . . .

. . . and here is the "after". 

Not bad, right?? 

Jake thoroughly enjoyed being a football player for the evening.  (his over protective mom won't let him play on a football team yet)

He looks pretty good as a football player, I must say.

Caroline went as a dog.

The costume was from a neighbor and her good buddy, Alie, just happened to have the very same costume!!

And look at that sweet cupcake!

Luke went as Brian Urlacher from the Bears.

He loved running from house to house gathering his treats.

"Daddy . . . stop eating my candy!!"

The whole gang . . .

Friendship is so very sweeeet.

:)

Can it Be??

Can it be eleven years since I went to the hospital at 6 in the morning to deliver my first baby??

Could it have possibly been that long??

Eleven years???

Really??

Jake is such a blessing to me.
He is honest,
full of integrity,
loyal to his friends/family,
dedicated to his schoolwork and his sports,
friendly to the friendless,
compassionate to those who are less fortunate,
sympathetic with the broken hearted,
and, most importantly, deeply in love with his Savior.

I am truly so proud to be his mother and I do not take any credit for how amazing he is.

God has a purpose for this young man and I am so privileged to be a part of his life.Happy Eleventh Birthday to my sweet, sweet Jake.

"For you created my inmost being: you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Ps. 139:13-14

Williams Sonoma Pumpkin Dessert Squares

I was totally sad the other day when I went to buy pecan pumpkin butter at Williams Sonoma.  It was closed . . . like as in closed forever.
:(

I have a pumpkin bar recipe (maybe you've tried it??) and it calls for WS pecan pumpkin butter. 

I was going to buck up and just buy "any old" pumpkin butter, but I couldn't find any anywhere else. I was on the phone calling grocery stores.

Nope, no pumpkin butter.

(I should have bought some at the orchard when I saw some.)

This is the best recipe for Fall (besides pumpkin pie, of course)and they will disappear very quickly . . . I guarantee it.



Williams Sonoma Pumpkin Dessert Squares

source

1 package yellow cake mix
½ cup butter, melted
3 large eggs
1 jar Muirhead pumpkin butter (This is the Williams Sonoma brand, but I think any will do. The jar was 13.5 oz.)
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon flour
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon cinnamon.


Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Measure one cup of cake mix. Set aside. Stir remaining cake mix with the butter and one egg. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch pan. Mix the jar of pumpkin butter with the remaining two eggs and milk. Pour mixture over layer in the pan. Stir the reserved cake mix with the flour, sugar, butter and cinnamon. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the pumpkin layer. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into two-inch squares. Serves 24.


Enjoy!!! (I hope you can find some good pumpkin butter!)
 
p.s.  We do have two more WS stores in the area, but they are about a half an hour away . . trying to decide if it is worth the drive.
:)

Baby, Baby

I came across these pictures of a baby shower that I threw for my sister a few years ago and I wanted to share these ideas with you.  It was so much fun doing this!! 
We knew she was having a boy (our cutie little Caleb) so I knew what colors to use.  Diane is a very classy lady, so I decided to try to make the shower as "classy" as I could.

Here is the dessert table.  I put white Christmas lights under light blue tulle, then added height with various sized boxes wrapped in coordinating paper.

A little blurry, but here is the dessert table with all of the desserts on it. 

I decided to use the favors as a decoration.  I bought 30 identical vases at my favorite little shop and put light blue and white flowers in them.  (I had to order the flowers ahead of time since I wanted them to be blue)
Can you see the mantle in the background??

I had fun decorating the mantle.  I used the same theme as the dessert table.

The food table also had the same theme.  We ordered a ton of food from one of my sister's favorite restaurants and filled all the platters with it.  I labeled each platter so everyone could know what everything was.  (lots of different pastas)

(I don't have any pics of the yummy food since I was so busy during the party.)

I absolutely loved planning this shower!



Shine

One of my favorite blogs, Joy's Hope, posted this video today and I wanted to share it with you.
The kids and I enjoyed watching it several times.
I love the music and the message, and of course, the Lite Brites.
:)
Enjoy.
p.s. click on the lower right button to see it full screen . . . oh, and you may need some tissues nearby (sniff, sniff)

Sweet Caroline

Sweet Caroline eats her peas with honey,

loves unique things like "Siamese twin cherries",

takes every opportunity she can to ride her bike,

adores her friends,

looks up to her big brother,

loves nature,

and has discovered accessories.

She makes my days a little brighter, my smile a little wider, and my life a little richer.  I am so blessed to have her in my life.

Ruth 3:10 (The Message)

 "God bless you, my dear daughter!"