Yummy Recipe

I got this recipe in my e-mail today,I love gingerbread and pumpkin so hey I can't go wrong with this one!I'm making it this weekend.
It came from this book (which I LOVE!)


Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake
3 c. sugar
1 c. oil
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
15-oz. can pumpkin
2 t. ground ginger
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. allspice
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. ground cloves
3-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1-1/2 t. salt
Garnish: 8-oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Beat together sugar, oil and eggs. Add water; mix well. Beat in pumpkin and spices; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir into pumpkin mixture just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour into a greased 13"x9" baking pan; bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, until a toothpick tests clean. Cool slightly. Serve warm or cold, garnished with whipped topping. Serves 12

I'm back!

Wow,it's been several days since I posted! This past weekend has been amazing,I'm still absorbing it and trying to wrap my brain around it all and I'll post about it when I do.
Happy Fall y'all,yesterday was the official 1st day of Autumn!!!I have 6 pumpkins so far out of my garden,I can't believe they actually came up but they did!
I got a few ears of corn but other than that nothing else.I'm still learning,maybe next year it will do better.
I made this incredible cake yesterday from http://cherryhillcottage.typepad.com/cherryhill_cottage/2007/09/a-daisy-of-a-ch.html
(I can't get the little linky thingy to work for some reason)
if you like chocolate this is the cake for you!!! YUMMO!!!!

I'm off to spend my day cleaning,it usually takes me all day to get the house in order after all the kids and hubby have been home all weekend,me being in a constant dream state since Friday night hasn't helped either!lolMore to come on that later............

Lighten up

Well,my last post was a bit heavy so I thought I'd post something a little cheerier.
I've been guilty of "blog neglect" the last several days so I've got alot of random stuff swirling around in my head.
It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend,very autumn like and even a bit chilly in the mornings.I've noticed alot of the older trees around our yard are starting to turn and some are already losing leaves.
We did the soccer game on Sat and I watched a movie that I had been wanting to see,it was long but I didn't get bored with it at all.I liked it alot and would watch it again. It was light and charming,very romantic.I've never been a huge fan of Jude Law but he was just adorable in this.

Sunday I took my 2 oldest girlies to a huge outdoor mall close to us.We walked and ate lunch at "The Cheesecake Factory"(one of my all time fave restaraunts,thanks JP for introducing me!)It was a nice afternoon.
This is a bit of a hoot,one of the kids made a comment on Sat about popcorn and asked how we made it in the "old days".I explained to them that you put the kernels in the big pot with oil and etc etc Well,they just thought that was nutty so I bought a jar of good ol Orville kernels and got out the pot.(they all stared at the jar too,like what the heck are those?)I'm telling you they were fascinated by the whole process.When it started poopping really loud and fast one of the boys yells "the pan will explode!" Oh gosh I had to laugh.
Once it was done,I salted and buttered it just like my dad used to do and handed it over to them.(it brought back alot of memories for me actually,I can't recall the last time I made it like this)
They grabbed up big handfulls and all kind of looked at each other for a minute,my oldest daughter says"this tastes weird".They all nodded in agreement and conitinued stuffing it in their mouths.
They just can't believe that we survived,even thrived before the microwave!

Regret

Seems simple enough doesn't it?




September 18, 2007
The Weight Of The Past
Regret
Holding onto regret is like dragging the weight of the past with us everywhere we go. It drains our energy, leaving less available for life in the present because we are constantly feeding an old issue. This attachment can cause illness the same way watering a dead plant creates decay. We know that something new and beautiful can grow in its place if we only prepare the soil and plant the right seeds. We also know that we create our lives from our thoughts, so dwelling on the past may actually recreate a situation in our lives where we are forced to make the choice again and again. We can choose to move on right now by applying what we have learned to the present and perhaps even sharing with others, transforming the energy into something that is constructive and creative for ourselves and others.

Forgiveness is the soothing balm that can heal regret. In meditation, we can imagine discussing the issue with the self of our past and offering our forgiveness for the choice. In return, we can ask for our selves’ forgiveness for keeping them locked in that space of judgment for so long. We may also want to ask forgiveness from anyone else who may have been affected and perhaps offer our forgiveness. By replaying the event in our minds, we can choose a new ending using all that we now know. Imagine that you have actually gone back into the past and made this change, and then say goodbye to it. Release your former self with a hug and bring the forgiveness and love back with you to the present. Since we are usually our harshest critics, it is amazing how powerfully healing it can be to offer ourselves love.

Keeping our minds and our energy fully in the present allows us to fuel our physical and emotional healing and well-being today. This action frees our energy to create the dreams we dream for the future. By taking responsibility and action in the present, we can release our hold on the past.

TAKEN FROM~~~http://www.dailyom.com/

Comfort

I've been feeling a bit better today,more together than I have been in at least a week or so.It's really warm today again but there is definitely a "fall" feeling in the air.It was even a tad chilly this morning.
Thought I'd write about a few things that I'm grateful for today and some favorite autumn images.
1)My family~couldn't make it without them
2)My friends~(same)
3)hot coffee on a fall morning
4)my quilts
5)autumn
I have many more but this is what's been in my mind alot today.Sometimes we all need some comfort in our lives,whether it's a hug from your child,a warm thought from a loved one,a cozy quilt at night,or just a cup of hot coffee.Every little bit helps to encourage and to warm the soul.

A moment to remember

"I cried that day,I cried today and I will cry tears forever to reach the heavens"~unknown

Anniversary poem for September 11th.
Read before the United States Senate
by Senator John Kerry on September 4, 2002.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The Eleventh Of September
Written by Roger J. Robicheau ©2002
The Poetic Plumber www.thepoeticplumber.com

We mourn their loss this day this year
Those now with God, no danger near

So many loved ones left do stand
Confronting loss throughout our land

My heart goes out to those who do
No one can fathom what they view

I firmly pray for peace of mind
Dear God please help each one to find

And to our soldiers now at war
God guide above, at sea, on shore

They are the best, I have no doubt
Our country’s pride, complete, devout

The finest force you’ll ever see
All freedom grown through liberty

One final thought comes clear to me
For what must live in infamy

Absolutely - We’ll Remember
The Eleventh - Of September

©2002 Roger J. Robicheau

Still here

I had a pretty rough weekend,alot going on and too much swirling in my head.Soemtimes I get into a real funk and it takes a bit of doing to get out of it,but I'm here.
Just thought I'd share some pics I've taken in the last few days.the 1st ones are the kids playing around in the Halloween costumes,a few from the festival,and some of my 2 youngest girlies playing miss divas. The last ones are my youngest daughter giving my youngest a RIDE on the bar stool!He got a huge kick out of it,I've never heard him laugh so hard.
It was such a nice day today,finally feeling like fall.

Happy Saturday!

Well,it's extremely hot and humid today again,not feelin like fall people!!

My 2nd oldest son had his 1st official soccer game today,(the same son that put his head though the hanger)he seems to like it so far. He made a pretty amusing comment to me last night,we were reading a kids version of the bible and it's pretty vauge and lacks much detail.So after we get done with it he looks directly at me and says"so basically Jesus dies and god has to do ALL the work now?" LOL,that was his take on it.

Back to his game~
Here he is getting a bit of direction

and he's off!

They got less goals than the other team,(at this age they don't "officially" keep score although some parents do anyway)but they all had fun and got good and sweaty.


I went to my parents house yesterday and for some reason my mom has been gathering things up that she thinks that I might want for myself or the kids.They're up in age and I guess it's on her mind.

anyway she gave me a bag of my old baby clothes,doll clothes,etc She also gave me this..................


It's my thermos from my Holly Hobbie lunchbox that I used in elementary school!!!!
She said she had the actual metal box some place.I can't believe she saved it all these years but you know what,it's very neat to have it now.It makes me glad that I'm saving little things like that for my kids,someday they'll be glad I did.
I took a couple pics of the kids while we were there.
My dad playing the keyboard

Some toys they loaded them up with



It was nice to spend the time with them and the kids love going there,it's always an adventure.
There's a big festival going on around these parts this weekend and I really want to go but I'm going to hang out till tomorrow and hope it gets a little bit cooler.We try to go every year and it sure would be a shame to miss all that greasy festival food.
My oldest rode his bike up with friends(it's right up the road from us)and I'm a little sad about it.He's always gone with us in the past.Someone needs to slow down this growing up train my kids seem to be on,I want them to get off!!!!!

I'm trying a new recipe tonight for Roasted red potatoes w/ rosemary and garlic,it sounds so good.I got it from this book,(which is gorgeous by the way)There are some beautiful pics and great recipes.I love all these books but I think this one is my new fave.


I'll post the recipe if it turns out to be yummy.

2 weeks from tonight!

Concert Review taken from LA magazine~
Los Angeles, Gibson Amphitheater - A video projection screen drops down center displaying a video montage of Australian native rocker Rick Springfield during his early days up until present. The video included his stint as a Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital and a cartoon version of Springfield as the crowd gave a thunderous applause. When you think of Springfield you might grin and giggle but he is no laughing matter. His is a talented musician that kicks ass. At 57, he has more energy than guys half his age and he had more energy than the Eveready bunny. He is obviously the happiest when he is performing in stage and it shows from the very first note until the last encore song, Springfield had the audience mesmerized.

"Mesmerized" I will be.I can not wait!!!

May I introduce to you...........................

you talkin to me???

paaaaalleeeease

my cat with the serious "tude"

This is Rosie, and yes he's a boy.When I named him I mistakenly thought that he was a girl,well he's been pretty irritated and resentful ever since.(can ya tell?)

Have you heard the saying"walk softly and carry a big stick"? Well,that's him.

He's quiet and can be loveable at times but he defintely "rules the school",all the other cats around here seriously clear a path when they see him coming.

My little ones have dressed him up,tried to give him a bath in the washing machine,put pink princess hair clips in his fur,and once tried to strap him to a Power Rangers vehicle.(I always saved him before any damage was done)

He never bit them or scratched them or even let out a good meow about it all,he just tolerated it.I figure he must really love them to be tortured like that.

I'm pretty sure that he might benefit from some therapy at some point though.

He's a nice cat and I love him but as you can see he can be quite moody when he doesn't get his food on time.(see 2nd pic,he looks at me like this every morning)

Guess he fits right in with all the others around here.;o)

Yum

Go window shopping now!
http://www.house-on-the-hill.net/index.html

Walkin in Mommys shoes

UGH

I have a cold and 3 of my kids have it too.It's been a runny nose,coughing,and sneezing marathon around here today.
I had a Drs appt for my back this morning and I have another one tomorrow.I dread going,right now my back is the least of my pain compared to the elephant sitting on my head.
My next to oldest son has a school open house tonight and I just had to send the hubby.I couldn't take the thought of sitting in that 150 degree school room on those itty bitty plastic torture chairs for an hour.
We had a bit of excitement earlier today when the same son decided to see if his head could fit thru a plastic hanger.It did,but it was a bit more difficult getting it to come back off.(I'm AMAZED that he got it over his head to begin with seeing as though all my kids have been blessed with a giant round head like mine)
The beautiful weather we had over the weekend is gone and it's HOT again,yuk and double yuk.It's been such a scorching summer around here,butI keep thinking this time next month things will be cooling off and the leaves will be turning,I'm really looking forward to that.

Hubby always says "I'm a real "piece of work" ~lol

Silliness,milestones,and rolls

My kids were acting even sillier than usual today so I took some pics.
The hat belongs to my oldest son,the boys were actually fighting over it.I know it must have been because it was so cold and all.
The weather has been FANTASTIC for the last 2 days and it's so nice to not be sweating every time you set your foot outside!
I can not believe it's september already,it seems like summer break just began and now the kids have been back in school for almost 2 weeks.
I soooo can not wait for fall to roll in!
We did some bedroom switch-a-roo with the kids rooms today,it started out being just one and somehow it turned into 3.My oldest daughter wanted to move up to the attic,(it's finished with a full bath etc)so we started that then decided to go ahead and move the youngest into her room.(He's been sleeping in our bedroom since he was born)I'm having conflicting feelings about this.I know he needed to be in his own room and he went right to sleep without even a whimper but well,shoot.....I miss him!
He's my baby and now he's not going to be right there where I can see him and hear him.I should be used to little milestones like this by now but it never gets any easier no matter how many times you go through it. What on earth an I going to do when one of them goes to college,or (GULP) GETS MARRIED!!!???
I remember my mom telling me about all these little moments of "letting go",of course I didn't listen and thought she was being overly emotional but it's true.She was right,watching your kids grow up is wonderful and excruciating at the same time.I think she always called it "bittersweet.
Yep,I'm in for a long road.
So anyway after we did as much moving around as we could stand today(all I did was tell hubby where to put stuff actually) I attempted something I have never done before in my life,I made homemade rolls!! I've wanted to try to make bread or biscuits or something but these sounded fairly easy and I had pot roast cooking in the crock pot all day.It just sounded so good together.
I think they turned out ok,(well actually a little flat and they tasted more like biscuits to me)but the kids really gobbled them up.I was pretty proud of myself,the thought of making bread has always been intimidating to me on every level.lol
proof~





Well,tomorrow is the official end to summer,bring on FALL!!!!

Someone must have written this for me