Curls

My oldest niece with long blond hair that has the perfect texture and shine, and fun clothes that she wears well, is looked up to by my daughter as many younger cousins do to the older ones.

While we were not together with that side of the family for Thanksgiving, my daughter happened to see a picture of this cousin the next day. She got real close to the computer screen and marveled at the lock of curls that she had been wearing for Thanksgiving. My girl was dreamy about those curls.

So Saturday I curled my girl's hair. It turned out really cute:

And on Sunday my side of the family gathered again, but this time at our house. My daughter's other two cousins arrived with curls in their hair too!! It was a screaming fest of delight because the girls had not (surprisingly) texted each other to share the curly hair story. It just worked out that way. My girl's locks had been worn all day and was deflating - hence her hope for getting a supposedly awesome curler in the Conair Infiniti like all her cousins.

The story continues that the two sister cousins that came over last night, had seen my daughter's cousin with the curly Thanksgiving hair on Friday night, when she was still sporting the curls. They too were inspired.

So, Curls for all! What a fun way to grow up - surrounded by girl cousins the same age that delight over the simplest of things ... Curls!!!

MORE Snow

MORE Snow .... But this time it happens to fall upon my girl's room after she took hours upon hours cutting snowflakes and hanging them from her ceiling with fishing line. The photos truly do not do it justice - it is simply gorgeous in real life. Magical.

Her little brother helped her hang them with the step ladder. They were a good team and took most of yesterday afternoon and evening together in her room. The result was worth it.

I was too eager, however, and asked her upon seeing her end result if she would be interested in doing the same to her mom and dad's room. I should have waited a little however because she didn't even answer me. She just smirked and walked away. I think her neck and fingers were a little too fresh from all the concentration in design. Sigh. Maybe next year?

She has plans of keeping the flakes. I can see this being a new decorating tradition for her.

LOVE her delivery in creativity.

Christmas Season 2002

It must have been unseasonably warm the day we went to cut down our Christmas tree in 2002. We were not bundled enough for it to be that cold. Walking over the bridge to the tree acres held much excitement for the children age 4 and 2; with the little stream trickling under foot it posed a great adventure.

You can tell by my son's smile that he was excited about his Christmas Tree adventure. His plump cheeks were so kissable - and he would let me. But his excited eyes tell the story really. Christmas through the eyes of a child.

My girl; the ever bright and cheerful dreamer and one who would get so excited over the simplest of things. She is still a spunk of sunshine, but we all change as we grow. Obviously she has grown out of some of that over-the-top wonder and excitement. But in comparison I suppose to others her age, she is still full of wonder and awe.

Our very first house. How I miss sometimes the simplicity of that era in our life. We thought it was so crazy and jam packed. Looking back - it was not. Simple. Beautiful. Refreshing.

These photos are a reminder as the minutes continue to click by that my children are such a blessing. Their excitement for the little things in each stage of their life should be blown up and framed as remembrance of the time we spend happily together.

While you are in the moment, it is hard to really appreciate and capture the importance of the little things. The in the moment happenings are so important, yet pass so quickly.

We partially decorated our house for Christmas yesterday; we'll finish the rest today. As my son was busy outside helping his dad string lights to bushes and trees, I noticed his tongue resting on his lip in concentration. He was all business and all boy hanging those lights for the first time unassisted with his dad.

My girl was inside with me. I came to a roadblock in how I wanted to design a certain area of our house. I asked her to take over and she did with out hesitation. Completely capable of design with a flair of certainty, rather than haphazardness like that of a young child.

My children are growing up. I never want to forget each stage of their growing. I want to hold onto their excitement and inquisitiveness as they try new things as they continue the path to adulthood.

My heart is warm when I see photos like that of our Christmas Tree Hunt Day of 2002.

A Thankful Day

I think the fantastic part of our yesterday was that the day was filled with laughter and lots of chatter.  My sister-in-law's parents drove out from a couple states away just as the snow was hitting our neck of the woods. They made it over three passes just in the nick of time. They were able to spend a few days prepping and relaxing with their girl and her family before Thanksgiving arrived.

The dinner was so perfect and beautifully planned with all the traditional trimmings. My brother took the risk to move the turkey from the oven on one side of the kitchen to the opposite side in order to carve. Some of us had to leave the room while he attempted this feat. All turned out well; no turkey on the floor.

My sister-in-law created the brilliant plan of covering the kid's table with construction paper and added two pails of crayons for the kids to entertain themselves during the dinner. I know the kids are older now, but it completely worked at getting them to stay at the table longer; versus running back upstairs to socialize and hangout in their playroom. We are one big family who love to tell stories and enjoy laughter together.

This is the only photo captured of the children - I grabbed them as they were coming down for dinner and had my hubby take a quick picture. Otherwise, seriously, they were very happy and content playing with my nieces Flip video making music videos upstairs. My son loved working the video and the girls enjoyed dressing up in their stash of post-costumes and signing and dancing to their music. Their imagination flies and works so well together.

One of the traditions we have started when the kids were toddlers was the Thankful Tree. My sister-in-law had made this back then and has kept it. Every year we each add a leaf with a written message of what we are Thankful for that year. The tree limbs are freshly cut, but the paper leaves are kept throughout the years, grouped together by name, and rehung. It is always a joy to reread prior years Thanks, especially those of the children. I am thankful for pilgrims and turkey - my favorite of my daughter's at age four.

Each of my nieces have their own cat and this little sweetie enjoyed hanging out on the dinning room chairs. The other cat is black and white, and she was more curious to move quickly whenever I tried to take her photo. This fluff of love was more content at me snapping away with my flash.

On the way home we passed this awesome house and saw this in the window:

What a perfect way to end the day with visions of A Christmas Story movie in a window! A warm Thanksgiving and a great start to the Christmas Season!

(as always you can click on photos to enlarge)

I am thankful...

I am THANKFUL for my husband ... For his generous heart for giving, his wisdom that keeps our family on the right path, his humor that makes every one roll their eyes and smirk, or belly-gut laugh, we wouldn't want it any other way. For his never-ending family love that shows every day through his stopping the world to listen to his kids, and to me (even when I talk on and on). For his gift of art and seeing the beauty in everything through photography - he can even make a fence post look attractive and unique. For asking me on a date on December 1st, 1990, that started our journey of love-ever-after.

I am THANKFUL for my girl ... For her giggles at life that make me laugh right along with her, her joy of expanding her mind through learning, her sunshine attitude with her sparkling blue eyes, her confident style. For her determination similar to the Energizer Bunny that just will not give up. For her written words and sweet embrace when she just wants to be close. For her love of doing what's right for others, for her support of family and friends. For God granting me the beautiful spirit of my girl in September '98.

I am THANKFUL for my son ... For his passion for facts and solving problems, his focus on making others feel good about themselves, his character. For his awesome hugs and cuddle times that would last hours if there were hours in the days to dedicate. For his strength and confidence. For his love of God's creatures great and small. For his drive of adventure and exploration. For his humor that is quick, funny, and genius really. For his never ending commitment to his family. For God granting me the inspiring spirit of my son in October of 2000.

I am THANKFUL for ... everyday health and safety, my extended family who have created special memories of love and warmth that make me who I am today because of their support and encouragement, a multitude of friends that make me smile and make my days complete with their being them, my Cora who is just a sweet pup that is a constant companion of happy, my faith in a Heavenly Father that knows me inside and out and loves me through strengths and failures.

I am THANKFUL for so very much.

Happy Thanksgiving! May you be surrounded by family connections that kick off the holiday season a little more cheerful, a little more peaceful, a little more happy than what you could ever have imagined. May you find THANKS in the little and big things of life. Blessings to you ~

Snow-happy!

The temperature has dipped to the teens around here, and while the current temp shows 26 it feels like 19, and this is all unusual for us. We are enjoying the change in weather pattern, but that does not mean that if this continues, that I will continue to stand by that opinion.

It was gorgeous yesterday. The beautiful white flakes fell all day and throughout the night. The overcast sky was thick with snow clouds; the grey kind that look socked in and your excitement grows as you wonder how long could it possibly last. Well, all day.

Our school district called before bedtime to announce the closure of school today. That caused for celebration. We snuggled up on the couches together with the fireplace lit, chatted, and watched Dancing With The Stars, an event that we rarely do as a family, while we let the kids stay up later than normal. Our landscape lights picked up the snow falling outside; it was so magical.

Today brought the sun and clear blue skies. Gorgeous and breathtaking all at once. The kids have played and sled.

My girls and I took a walk through the larger neighborhood that we connect with. Cora started off strong and enjoyed the walk and lasted longer than I had anticipated.

On our trek home, an hour later, she looked like she was limping. We stopped and she patted my leg with her paw - something that she does when she wants attention. So I picked up my 20 pounds of fur and we walked home like that. I got my workout for the day and she was feeling like a Princess. No worries, however, because she immediately asked to go in our backyard when we returned. Little stinker. But I'd do it again.

I am grateful that we live in the part of the country where we have different seasons to enjoy. It breaks up the routine, causes one to pause and enjoy family and friend time. Otherwise, today we would've been scurrying from one event to the next being crazy-busy.

The snow has made us stop. And enjoy.

The temps are in the teens, but our hearts are warm with snow-happy!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

My kids went to school at regular time today, however, it was previously scheduled for early release days due to parent-teacher conference for all grade levels. While the early release will continue, we just received a broadcast phone call from the district stating that the bus rider students will be dropped off at the Snow Route today. I have no doubt that upon their return that they will venture outside for some early winter fun.

I have been making cookies this morning as the snow has been falling the heaviest since 9am. It is gorgeous outside, not a complete white out, but the forecast (if correct) states it is to snow until midnight. This is fun.

My Cora girl has other thoughts - she likes it warm; the hotter the better. She runs out just enough times and as long as she can get her things accomplished, then it is back inside for her fireplace plop or a couch position with lots of blankets on top of her. The dirty, foggy window are compliments of my pup.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

The First Snow

Today was filled with the anticipation and glee of the first snowfall. As we woke this morning the first flakes began to fall; changing from light to moderate, and stopping here and there.

The excitement of the kids, and us-adults too, warmed the house as our dog was snuggled against our fireplace screen gaining her favorite hot-dog-atmosphere.

Bundling up for church and driving the twenty minutes through countryside showed difference in elevation. By the time we reached our destination there was just green grass and wet cement. No snow.

Throughout the day, the snow fell and we worked on our house lists and football game viewing. In the evening we bundled up and headed for my in-laws for a family dinner. The cousins reached every corner of the house, upstairs and downstairs, with their wild excitement that Thanksgiving was upon us and Christmas was right around the corner.

Traveling home we realized that our city received a dumping of snow while we were away. Beautiful white fluff transformed our one street neighborhood that sits upon a hill. Amazing how much more snow we received with just this slight increase (in comparison) in elevation.

Now, do I think I will get the kids to settle down and head for bed? After all, they do have school to report to in the morning.

The first snow, always a gleeful, much anticipated, unknown end result in our neck of the woods. A moment we continue to cherish - a moment that never tires.

Guest Blogger

Tonight I am snuggled with my boy on the couch, computer in my lap, and the fireplace a glow. My daughter is on a Girls Night Out with my mom, seeing a theatrical play of Anne of Green Gables, while my husband is in the den working on photos from a photography session he had this afternoon.

My son suggested that we do a mini interview. So, here goes:

Q: What is your favorite food?
Son: Clams and Calamari

Q: What is your favorite food to cook?
Son: Desserts like pastries, cookies, and fancy cider.

Q: Do you want to own a restaurant some day?
Son: More than ever.

Q: What would you name it?
Son: Mono Boulangerie

Q: What does that mean?
Son: Mono means One, and Boulangerie is French for a Bakery Shop.

Q: That sounds perfect! Where do you want to set up this shop of yours?
Son: Yellowstone ... hahaha ... Um, actually, that would be perfect for me.

Q: Why? Why would that be perfect for you?
Son: Because after work, I could take pictures of all the animals and sell them in my bakery. It would be ideal. It is so awesome there!

Q: Would you let me come visit you?
Son: You and everybody else.

Q: Would you give me a discount?
Son: Depends on my mood.

Q: Nice. At least you are honest. Anything else you want to share with blogland?
Son: Not really.

Okay, that wraps up the interview with my ten year old son!

Game Night!

Recently my children and I have been in the game mode of Bananagrams. A quick paced game that is similar to Scrabble, wherein the lettered tiles are used to spell words.

There are several variations to play, but we so far have been using the traditional play where the one who wins is the player with out tiles, and the tiles remaining in the dump pile are less than the number of players. My daughter is good at this game, and my son comes out with a good attitude, but usually finishes with a request to join a partner.

Either way, we've been having fun. If someone is looking for a great game to gift for Christmas, this would be the one. Easy to set up, portable, and less than $15, the receiver will have a lot of fun with your unique gift.

Tonight we are carving out time to include dad. For some reason I have a feeling that he will be very good at this game. He is quick witted and knows a lot of play on words, so for some reason it seems like his vocabulary would be bigger to get the tiles down faster. I seem to have the most trouble in the organization of my tiles. I'll be interested to see how my husband plays his words - maybe I'll get some tips.

Off to the table for Family Game Night!  It's supposed to snow between now and tomorrow mid-afternoon ... we'll be sneaking peaks out the window waiting for that first flake to fall while keeping our fingers crossed.

Sweet Treat Recipes

My son receives the bonus of early release days for the week prior to Thanksgiving by maintaining his elementary school status. Yesterday was his first of six days where he was released shortly after lunch. My mom picked him up from school to take him grocery shopping before spending the day and evening with him at her house cooking up yummy treats.

He brought home what they had made and the combination was perfect. I will start with my new, favorite holiday drink: Sleigh Rider Cider, followed by the sweet goodness of Mrs. Claus's Peppermint Wonders. Both are wonderful as solo refreshments, but they work equally well together.

Holiday time is about gathering friends and family to celebrate the season - what better way to warm up together by a roaring fire with these two wonderful treats from Kids In The Holiday Kitchen cookbook by Jessica Strand and Tammy Massman-Johnson. A Must Do!

Sleigh Rider Cider
2 quarts apple cider
1 (16-ounce) can frozen raspberry cocktail concentrate, thawed
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup frozen blackberries, thawed
1 cup frozen raspberries, thawed

In a stockpot over medium-high heat, combine the cider, raspberry concentrate, and cinnamon sticks. Bring the mixture to a simmer and heat for 8 to 10 minutes, so that it's warm through.

Add the berries. Let the berries cook for 2 minutes. Stir.

Pour into festive heat-resistant glasses or mugs (thermos works too if you are taking it on the go). Serves 8 to 10.

Mrs. Claus's Peppermint Wonders
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter
5 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
7 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 325F.

Grease an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan. Line the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil, allowing extra to hang over the sides.

Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and bake until toasted and fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

In a double broiler over barely simmering water or in a metal bowl over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of hot water (creating your own double boiler), melt the butter and chocolates together, stirring often. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.

Stir in the granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt until well blended. Whisk the eggs one at a time. Stir in the flour until well blended. Stir in the walnuts.

Spread in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. The top should be puffy and shiny and cracked. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 1 hour.

Lift the contents from the pan using the foil and invert onto a plate. Carefully remove the foil and turn the cake rightside up. Cool.

Frosting:
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk
6 large candy canes, crushed into pieces
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

In a medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar, butter, and milk until creamy.

Spread the brownies with the frosting, then sprinkle with candy cane pieces and chocolate chips. Chill for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cut into 20 small squares. Makes 20 small brownies.

Planting Seeds ... Enjoying the Harvest

There is not one person who will convince me that planting seeds among our children does not exist. Planting seeds is real, regardless of age, our children are watching and observing our steps as parents. They watch how we interact with others, how we treat our own bodies, how we respond to negativity, how we worship, how we learn about our world, how we ....

I think the domino effect of watching the seeds sprout and multiply is the fascinating part and the highest reward. When you look into the heart of your children and you see that they get something good out of what they observe, that is awesome and keeps me going. Mixed in with all the wrong choices, or mixed in with all the outside distractions, when you see the light turn on and the seed blossom a little bigger, the reward is great.

While I may have passions in life, I am not one to go around town or among my friends and spout them off. By nature I am a more private person (regardless of this blog being so public) - it is my one avenue of letting go and sharing endlessly. I tend to be more guarded in person. So while my immediate family knows about my involvement with Wiphan, Sole Hope, and supporting adoptive parents in their journey to bring their children to a forever home, I am not one shouting it among the streets and talking nonstop around the parent pickup line. I do. I talk. I write. I just mix it in through life in what I consider my quiet way. And it seems to be working ...

When my son decided to give his Candy Money to Sole Hope, it was done in the same fashion. It was his idea, his choice, his delivery. He wore his shirt to school today. It looked great on him. He felt pleased to wear his shirt that he bought himself that put life-changing shoes on children in Africa.

Tucking my daughter into bed this evening, she asked, "Mom, can I have a Sole Hope shirt?" I simply told her that she definitely could purchase a shirt with her money. She looked confused. I told her that buying a Sole Hope shirt was for a worthy cause, but it needed to come from her heart and her desire to help the children and women in Ndola - not because Mom or Dad handed over the money. She didn't say anything.

After picking up the upstairs and getting ready for bed, I went to the staircase landing to run the last load of laundry and noticed a note on our black hall table. It was a folded piece of paper with a green sticky note that read: MOM.  With my hands full I grabbed it and heard a giggle come from my daughter's room. I told her I'd have to empty my hands downstairs before I could read it and she said, "Good. Because I don't want you to do it up here."

Thinking it was going to be a note about some happening at school that she didn't know how to start with out writing it down - I will admit that my heart was just a little bit pounding. I unfolded the note and out popped cash.

My girl just purchased her own Sole Hope T-shirt.

Planting seeds is real. Children are watching and observing all the time and there is nobody who would convince me otherwise. When the seeds sprout and start to grow, that is when my heart leaps with joy and I enjoy the harvest.

If Only ...

My mom shared this video with me and I had to post. You'll have to turn up the volume as the music adds to the fun.

My parents-in-law have a Jack Russel-Bichon mix that looks very similar to the dog in the video. I think Gracie (their dog) would be able to match this challenge. She is a smart dog and full of energy to conquer the task. Just not sure how the trainer was so successful at all of the tricks! Very fun.

When we purchased our beagle, Cora, at the age of two she was being retired from her show dog status. She had not been trained to sit, because the trainer needed her to stand for showing. However, she was very well mannered, calm, and listened very well. So I got the joy of training her to sit and it worked relatively quickly. She can now sit on command.

I also trained her on the word, EXIT. If she is in a place or room where we would like her to leave, we say exit, and she does. This one was just a fluke that stuck. Shortly after bringing her home she was wandering around my son's room. I left the room and happened to say exit and she did. I decided that we would continue that trick and it works. Even if we aren't leaving the room with her; if I am in the laundry room and want her to exit, she will. That is my favorite trick that we have taught her.

Other than that, Cora will not be doing any video presentations of her helpfulness around our house. If only I could get her to shut doors, pull of my socks, and start the wash like Jesse.

Son's Sole Hope Shirt

Remember this post? My son donated his candy money and a few extra dollars to donate to Sole Hope. Since all of the proceeds of purchasing a Sole Hope T-shirt go towards the making, educating, and giving of shoes in Ndola, my son wanted to use his money to purchase a shirt. 

His shirt arrived today and he can not wait to wear it to school. He will be a great advocate as he is a well-spoken young man and has a passion to help others. He likes the off-white color in the Organic Tee fabric with the green and grey logo design. For those interested in purchasing a Sole Hope shirt for your child, this is the Youth size Large. 

Today the four of us have been together, rather than at school, because last night a rather large windstorm arrived in our zip code (and surrounding areas). We lost power for the night and morning hours. As a result, the district cancelled school. And wouldn't you know that an hour after cancellation, our power was restored. Oh well, one day to makeup was worth the fun we've been having today getting projects completed and tests studied for. 

So, my son is excited to return to school tomorrow supporting his new, favorite organization: Sole Hope!!!

All the good stuff

This will be a bragging post, but it is for my purposes only; when my girl is older and reading my blog book, she will have it confirmed and remembered that she was a great kid. 

All the good stuff is wrapped up in my sweet 12 year old girl. It was confirmed by the four academic teachers that have her under their wing for six hours a day. Our first Middle School Parent Teacher Conference was held this evening, and because I would not miss it for anything, I cancelled my after-school piano students so I could have a date with my hubby to attend.

The way our school works is rather ingenious in my opinion. Never having gone to Middle School or been associated with one as a parent, I really don't have a vast sampling to make such a statement. But I will just say that my first impression, and experience, have been very positive and to that I stand by my opinion about our school.

Our school divides the kids up into teams with four academic teachers per child - Language Arts, Social Studies, Math and Science. The electives are also part of the students day (band, choir, physical education, drama, etc), but teachers for those classes work with both sets of the sixth grade teams. The four academic teachers/teams have all of the same kids every day, just in a different order and in a different grouping. So, every one on Team E has the exact-same-teachers. Except for lunch, the students never see the other team of kids because they have a different set of teachers.

The benefit? The teachers meet weekly to discuss their curriculum's, see how they can cross reference each other's studies, coordinate big projects so students are not overwhelmed with too much "stuff" at once, and of course, they talk about the kids. If a student is doing poorly in math, maybe the science teacher has some tips or suggestions that he/she noticed that works with that student, etc, etc, etc. It is very much a team approach and they definitely know their students.

This evening the school is open from 5pm to 8pm for parents to meet with their student's team. Not really knowing what to expect, other than a line, my husband and I arrived early enough to get the prime spot. Student Number One. We were the first to go through the rotation to meet with all four of her teachers and have a 5-minutes conversation about our kid. We received her final grade in each class, and a specific breakdown of everything that made that grade.

I not only came out pleased with my daughter's great academics, but I also came out grateful that the teachers really know her. Sure, they talked about the grades, but they mostly talked about her character and assessment of her as a student, and as a person, and it was fun to hear a new and fresh perspective. Many times going through elementary school, you tend to hear the same info based on academics. But with this core group of teachers, we heard the character side of our girl. It was nice to hear, especially starting a new school - and middle school at that!

Yes, we are grateful. Thankful for our girl and all the good stuff that she has within her and puts forth for herself. She is self-motivated and driven, yet calm with a good sense of humor. She knows what times are important to be serious, and what avenue in the day she can relax to socialize. One of her teachers shared that our girl knows how and when to enjoy the humor in learning. That made me smile, because if you know my girl, she laughs a lot (appropriately) when she is comfortable in her surroundings. She tells me she loves her school, and to hear it said in this way from a teacher confirms it.

We are all anxious and excited to see how she continues to fly.

Tonight was all the good stuff ... and I am so, so, so thankful!

(and then my date and I went out to dinner because we had 1.5 hours remaining until the kids came home from my parents and it was pouring down rain and it was windy and we didn't want to eat at home should the power be out and yahoo! the doorbell just rang; the kids are home!)

Saturday Shopping and Sunday Cooking

Okay, so my mom and I surprised each other yesterday and we actually shopped. We learned how to shop while talking. In the past it has always been shop, stop, talk. This year it was shop while talking. And. it. actually. worked. Smile. My mom and I had a wonderful day and evening together yesterday. I could go back and do it all over again, again, and again. Love You, Mom!

I purchased a Holiday Cookbook at Crate and Barrel yesterday. My son is the master chef in our family, but I could not see buying the book and saving it for a Christmas gift; as he would not be able to use it until the next holiday season. So, I purchased it for the family and gave it to the kids this morning.

We just happened to have most of the ingredients in the house already, and we swung by the grocery store on the way home from church to get the remaining few. My son is making Reindeer Bark as I type and it smells delicious! Here is the recipe from the book:

Reindeer Bark, page 33
1 1/4 cups whole raw almonds
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
6 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 375F. In a medium bowl, combine the almonds, olive oil, and sea salt. Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until toasted and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.

Turn the oven down to 250F. Line a 17x11-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread both kinds of chopped chocolate all over the sheet. Place in the oven until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the chocolate with a spatula or dull knife evenly to the edges.  Immediately sprinkle with the toasted and salted almonds.  Bury the nuts in the chocolate.

Refrigerate the bark for 2 to 3 hours, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces. Wrap in parchment paper and store in a plastic container in the refrigerator 2 to 3 weeks. Makes 1 pound.

My kinda 48 hours

I am in the process of "My kinda 48 hours". This is how I am spending it ~ This morning I went to a unique boutique, I had lunch with my sister-in-law, I will be chillin'out with my family tonight, and tomorrow I am spending the entire day, one on one, with my mom. I am enjoying my choices of how I'm spending my hours.

While I can't give the name of the unique boutique that I shopped at this morning, because I already tested it on Google and it was the only one listed and it gives an address and everything (and I'm not that gusty on the net), I will share the concept. My friend founded this idea of teaming with a local home builder to showcase a plethora of home shopping vendors during a three day period. Shoppers (women) come to the builder's newly built home, take off their shoes, and walk through the entire house to shop for unique boutique kinds of things.

Every room, including one bathroom, and the garage was wall to wall display of fun products to purchase from local vendors of jewelry, purses, clothing, tutu's and hair bows for little girls, kitchen items, home decor, food, the list seems endless to type. It was a classy set up in this brand. new. home. that looked spectacular, the prices were completely affordable, and the purchases were from local entrepreneurs versus big box stores.

It was super fun and what perfect timing, holidays are approaching quickly. It was nice to chat with my friend in between the busyness of her day, before I scooted out to meet my sister-in-law for lunch.

My sister-in-law shared her Prague pictures with me ~ it only took us two months post trip to find a mutual time to get together to look these over. The pictures were gorgeous showing the restoration of the buildings and the revitalization of its people post-Communism. My sister-in-law resembles Kelly Rippa, and my brother is the likes of Matt Lauer, so the peeps in the photos were fun to look at too. A great lunch time chat to get caught up, and share one on one time.

Tonight is all about family time. Perhaps a game. Perhaps a movie. Whatever we get into it will be relaxing and fun!  Tomorrow my husband is in charge of the kiddos while I venture off to have my annual shopping date with my mom. We go to the same mall every year, for the past 18+ years, but as the years have gone by we tend to just talk and walk (ok, we do a lot of stopping too), and not as much purchasing. It is our little get-away, where the shopping part is now a second to our jabbering and fun. Our two weeks of "no talking" comes to an end tomorrow. Yea!

I will be back to post after my 48 hours are complete, as I am going to enjoy my remaining hours of My Kinda 48 Hours. Happy Weekend!

Veteran's Day Hero

I have a Veteran's Day Hero.

Growing up I knew that my Uncle had served overseas in the Korean War. He was a tall man, over 6'2" with a lean frame that accentuated his height. To a little girl he was a very, very tall man. Even now in his late seventies, I still consider him a tall man.

We would visit him on his farm during the holidays or during the summer. While the memories are not one of the cattle that I think he had, the memories are more about the wheat fields that surrounded their property, the large white house with an upstairs that we rarely visited (which made it more exciting to create stories in my mind as to what was up there), and the large hill on their property that I was sure if I climbed, I would see a Native American's tribe and way of living. Random thoughts that were based on nothing else but a child's imagination kept me wanting to return to his magical countryside.

I enjoyed being tucked into their guest bedroom, and hearing my parents and my Uncle and Aunt talk out in the living room while I tried to ease drop, I mean sleep. Not always successful, but I knew when my Uncle was telling a story. He has a way of taking long, dramatic pauses that only he can pull off so successfully to make you wait on the edge of your seat for him to continue. A cowboy slow paced way of life. I liked that. To me, it was comfort and it is has always been the essence of my Uncle.

Once all parties in the house were sleeping, I would wake to the howls of the coyotes in the near distance of the wheat fields. Eerie. I could not wait until morning when they would no longer share their moonlit talk with the rest of us.

For as tall as my Uncle was, and for as minimal as he spoke to the kids, I always knew growing up that he had a huge heart. He wanted the best for his family; all of them, regardless how many generations in between, regardless of how far the country roads separated family, he just wanted everyone to be healthy and happy. The best for everyone.

As kids we were told enough information about his service in the Korean War to know that it was life altering for him, for his wife, his mother, his brother, his children. He fought. He lost partners. He saw more than any of us have in a lifetime.

His Presidency in the fraternity of the Korean War Veterans is humbling, is rewarding, is sacrificial, is meaningful. He takes his fraternity to honoring the men who died serving our country to heart, and has done so much since the day he came home to keep the memory of the lives lost alive. He works hard for all of his fellow War Brothers.

To me, he will always be my Veteran's Day Hero.
Uncle Dale, I Love You!

Crayons by Colors Of Love

I have frequently written about my love for and involvement with Sole Hope. So when it's founder posted on her Facebook page that her daughter was selling Crayons, I could not resist. Because these crayons are not just any crayons, they were made by her sweet daughter who is, I am pretty sure, age 5 or younger.

Why is she making crayons and selling them?

Because her parents are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia, and she wanted to sell something that would help raise funds to bring home her baby sister or brother. Her mom gave her a cute Esty shop and took a few pictures for her sweetie to market her product. The rest is up to us. To have our heart strings pulled and to make a purchase.

I hope she sells out of crayons. I hope that she sells more crayons that she ever dreamed possible. I hope she sells so many crayons that she is sick and tired of crayons!!

Will you join me in supporting this sweet girl's dream of raising enough funds to bring home her little sister or brother? It's just crayons. We all need crayons. And if we really, really don't ... then we probably know some one who does. And if we really, really, really don't know someone who needs crayons ... then maybe purchase just to give this cute entrepreneur a spirit of hope. It is for an amazing cause; to bring an orphan child into a forever home.

Join Me?  www.etsy.com/shop/quinnscolorsoflove

Veteran's Day Assembly

My son chose to be in Choir this year. The group is made up of about 60 fourth and fifth grade students who meet Friday mornings before school. He enjoys his time with his friends, he likes the choir teacher, the songs, and the bonus factor of a little piece of candy as they walk out of the portable doors to go to regular class at 9am.

Today the school held a Veteran's Day Assembly and the choir was the entertainment. They did three different songs to celebrate and honor veterans that now worked at the school, and for student's family members who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces. The veterans were honored with a special verbal recognition and a flower.

I can always find myself tearing up at just about any elementary school program. Why? Is this a mom-thing? Although it was probably considered a simple assembly in the eyes of the greater public, there was a definite honor to it. Perhaps the simplicity was what got me - I found myself misty. A lot. Sigh.

But the shock came when one of the students in the choir fainted. Thankfully, it was a student that was sitting on his knees on the stage - the missing fourth to the left of my son. One moment the choir was singing, the next moment the fainting student was laying across the student's lap that was sitting in front of him. Grateful that he was not standing on the risers, or sitting in the first row, because he surely would have fallen off the stage.

The choir kids did an amazing job. They just kept singing as the director went over to the help the boy, along with about four teachers. I think as a fourth grader, having a fellow student land face down in my lap, I would have screamed with surprise. There was none of that. It was as if nothing happened. I know fainting can frequently occur among choir kids, but I just hope this is the one and only time for this group. The boy seemed to be doing okay. He was escorted straight to the nurse's office.

Honoring our Veterans, for the sacrifices that they have made for our country.

A response to yesterday's blog - the pinch is over, today feels like November. As I was loading my car with groceries, the rain pelted every inch of me and my bags were dripping like a faucet in my car. I certainly knew it was November. I learned too that the coat I had chosen to wear was not water proof. The rain had soaked through to my back and arms, causing a spotted wet design when I took off my coat. Welcome Fall!