A month gone by---

Wow! I can't believe!!!! it has been almost a month! In that month, we have moved, (STRESS!!), we have celebrated my BEAUTIFUL daughter's first Birthday!!, my husband turned 30! I went on one date, with another one on Friday(yay, cuban food). And we have endured a two week long run of sickness that has circled through the house! SO glad there is light at the end of the tunnel on that one!!

Currently, I am making my Thanksgiving Dinner food list. I am cooking this year for about 16 people. You know what, it is my first year in my new home(1st month actually, but you get the point), and I want to make the dinner. One of my in-law's is pregnant and sick, (and she happens to be my next door(well 2 doors down) neighbor, and she and her family are coming. My MIL will be living with us, my other SIL and her family are coming, and adding our 6, makes 16!. What I decided is this... I am cooking, so I get to decide WHAT I am cooking. Now, if you have ever cooked a holiday meal(one that is STEEPED in tradition) for anyone, you know that there will be alot of "Where's the....insert common holiday food?" Well, I won't change everything up, but you know what??? I don't like Green bean casserole...I am not going to make it. I will make creamed spinach, and possibly roasted asparagus. IF someone needs to have a bowl of green beans with disgusting canned mushroom soup and fried onions on it, then, by all means, make it and bring it with you!! That is all I have to say! I also grew up having the BEST Thanksgiving dinner ever!! There were NO mashed potatoes--*GASP*. THere were however, the best darned sweet potatoes with marshmallowy goodness, ever, and well, friends, that is what we are having! See note about green bean casserole if you want mashed potatoes! I will also be having Waldorf Salad, another Tonini Tradition. It is yummy. I like it. I also want to have a little creative freedom, and by golly, I will have it! I am cooking and I think I can do it pretty well, so I will take liberties where I see fit. I am not cooking the stuffing in the bird this year, really because my turkey will cook faster and more evenly, but more importantly, my SIL is pregnant, and want to keep all potential bacteria at bay! And my other SIL will be stuffing a 2nd bird, so all palletes will be pleased! She is a great cook too!  There will of course be yummy yeasty rolls, Sage stuffing(hey I may throw a chopped up apple in there...who knows!), the aforementioned Sweet potatoes(this will be an all out carb fest people). I am also making(I think) a pecan pie, and A pumpkin Cheesecake...sounds so good, I may practice this week! Oh, and homemade cranberry sauce...a request of my dear husband...who, bless his heart, likes the idea that I like to change things up a bit(as long as I don't mess with the sweet potatoes!) Yes, my dear MIL, there will be that "thwap" of canned jellied cranberry sauce so that you can eat it to your heart's content! Ohhhhh....how could I forget, the corn pudding!! It may sound gross, but it is oh so yummy...if--I can get my Mayme's recipe for it...mmmmm. Okay, so that is all! Have a grand day!

Memories

I just found my old blog archives. It is sooo funny reading them. I am totally laughing at myself and the way I thought about everything. I especially find it funny, how all the wiles of TWO children overwhelmed me. Heheh. I am sure after another 4 years, I will laugh at all the things that I have written here. It has made me thankful that I kept those otherwise "lost" daily memories. It is fun to take a peek at what life was like. It is NOT that way anymore. Unfortunately, (or not depending on which way you look at it) I don't have time to notice some of the little things, or keep track of them now. I was telling my oldest of some of the things I had written about, and she was getting such a kick out of them. So glad I took notice of those things. I am trying to figure out a way to save them into my own computer. So I can keep em forever.

In light of my recent find, I guess I should write something seemingly meaningful from today....

HMMMM....now I feel put on the spot for something. 

Okay, here goes. Aidan woke very early this morning so we dove into his FIRST day of FIRST GRADE LEVEL reading!!!! Yay for him!!! He is such an eager learner! He loves his reading lessons, he would sit and do his math work for hours, and even asks to do multiple pages in handwriting. I am so pleased to have such an eager student. My oldest is not quite as excited. She doesn't MIND it, but certainly is not jumping out of her chair for extra math and phonics. We are continuing the slow move to the new house. While Wild Child was at preschool, we finished up homeschooling, and unpacked a few bathroom boxes, and I put away some rarely used spices. Speaking of that...should I really be filling my precious cabinet space with things I only once in a blue moon need? Anyway, back to the day. Anna wants to have a pre-move sleep over in the new house. With sleeping bags etc. I am definitely not doing it, but maybe Brian will take her and Aidan and do it. If I were a betting woman, I would bet he won't but we'll see. 

Yesterday, my oldest brought me a handwritten note that said "Can I have a pet. Circle the "wan" you want me to hav...yes or no?" How funny. She, like every other 7 year old wants a dog, a cat, anything she can hold, I guess. I CLEARLY will NOT be getting a pet. I mean, our poor fish, Stick(see blog archives on that one) is lucky to have food and clean water(meaning, he doesn't get either often or on a regular basis). I have enough of God's creatures to take care of. Six in fact(including myself of course). 

Although, get this, my husband, was working over at the new house, and he turned around and there were five, yes FIVE, cats in our garage. Our house is across the street from a quite lovely little farm. (our property used to be a cow grazing area actually--according to the nice farm lady I met today). She informed me to NOT feed the cats unless we wanted to keep em. She doesn't know how many there are, and that they are NOT tame. So...

In good husband news...As I ran over to the house to grab the school crate( I left it there earlier), oh, and also to grab some DELICIOUS peach cobbler from this local market that has SUCH a great bakery, my husband apparently cleaned all the dinner dishes, and had the kitchen cleaned up when I walked in. Yay for me, and yay for him. Now, I need to go eat some cobbler!!!

Oh, one more thing, I made crockpot applesauce yesterday with some lovely apples my niece brought me from picking. I took all these pictures, and then forgot to take one of it all yummy and done. Boo. Oh well, there is always next time.

My Daybook: October 12, 2009

OCTOBER 12th

FOR TODAY...October 12th 

Outside my window... Dark and Chilly--there is even a nip in the air...just tells me winter will indeed come...and probably before I want it to.
I am thinking... about ALL the stuff I need to do before the move.

I am thankful for...the two hour nap I got today...and also for the reason I needed it...we visited with friends from college, renewing old friendships and making new ones.

I am wearing...Pajama pants, long sleeve t-shirt,

 and cozy slippers

I am remembering... great times from college, and our semester in Europe.
I am going... to buy a house this week!
I am reading...Anna Karenina, but I have been on a major lag...it is just kind of dragging... I am also reading Baby Island to the kids for literature time.

I am hoping... To enter more deeply into prayer...starting today!

On my mind... Been thinking about getting rid of cable. We don't watch a ton of tv, but I am sure there is other stuff we could do with our time...just praying about it and throwing the idea around right now.

Thankful For...Seeing an old friend unexpectedly this weekend. 

From the learning rooms... slow day today, we had dentist appointments, and we ALL needed naps. We did some poetry and math...but other than that, it was a slow one.  Wild Child has preschool pictures tomorrow, trying to tame her mane so she looks pulled together. :)

Noticing that... the weather is definitely changing...my hands are getting that dried out chafed feeling...need to moisturize!!

Pondering these words... 

 ²¹Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

 ²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

 ²³Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

There was a great homily on this at Mass. We were in Front Royal VA for the weekend, and the priest there hit the nail on the head. Been thinking that now is the time to rid ourselves of all of our extra "stuff". Don't want to be tied to this world by materialism, don't want to be owned by my possessions. Lord help me to detach!

From the kitchen... Baked Macaroni and Cheese with stewed tomatoes. Tis the season of Comfort food!
Around the house... Laundry, what else! We have so many baskets of clean clothes that need to be put away...this is my challenge. I also should be PACKED! (but alas, am not packed)

One of my favorite things... warm apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream. (I said it was comfort food season...if only I had that tonight!)
From my picture journal...

If only I could share the beautiful sunset from our friend's house this weekend. It was gorgeous. And then, to wake up and see a breathtaking scene from one of the most comfortable beds I ever slept in! But, I didn't take a picture of either of those....so how about this....

One Week and Counting...

Well, one week and that's it! Our dream of building our own house will become a reality! We go to settlement next Thursday. The house is sooo beautiful. I am truly grateful for the wonderful blessing it is. I know our family will know many a wonderful memory there. My mother in law will also be moving into her "inlaw" suite. It is a lovely space with a kitchenette, living area, Master Bed room, walk-in closet, full bath, and laundry. I hope she will be very happy there. I know my children have been waiting very excitedly for her to move in! It will be fun to own our own home once again. Although our foray into rentals has been a mere 5.5 months, it definitely feels like it is time to have our own place again. 

My sister in law and her family moved into a house touching our "new" backyard just about 2 weeks ago. So, we are looking forward to having WONDERFUL neighbors. My niece actually gave my daughter a walkie-talkie so they could talk from their rooms. Cute stuff. Anyway, here is a shot of my future kitchen! Obviously the place where I will spend most of my time!!

and Here is one of the front of the house.(you cant see the inlaw suite which comes off the other side)

Check out how BLUE the sky is! I am coming to realize, there is nothing like an October sky!

Today, we decided to spend our school day outdoors. We still did the reading, phonics, math, etc. But we did it at a cute park. There were BEAUTIFUL walking trails, where we gathered many fallen leaves. We did a few leaf rubbings right then and there, but brought most of them home-pressed in my dear daughter's math book--so we could make a pretty Leaf Banner and look them up online to identify them. Homeschooling is such a nice flexible way of life. I really do love it. (Of course, there are those days where I feel the "burn" but for the most part, I love it). All I need to do now is find a lovely apple orchard, go apple picking, and make tons of apple treats. (Anyone have a great recipe for an apple cake--Jewish Apple cake, or any kind??) If someone gives me one, and I make it, i will post pics, okay?? :o)

Okay, hope everyone has a great day!

My Daybook

For Today...

September 28, 2009

Outside my window...

A beautiful, sunny, Fall day.

I am thinking...

Of the fact that I would like to rid my life of the "extra" stuff. How does a sentimental fool go about it?

I am thankful for...

a mirale--my friend's  husband was able to move his left arm after his 3 strokes, something he was completely unable to do.

From the learning rooms...

We learned about St. Zita today, and I would like to carry our fall theme into the kitchen...

From the kitchen...

I would love to make a yummy apple crisp tonight...To eat right after our pulled pork from the crockpot.

I am wearing...

Jeans and a FUS T-shirt and bare feet

I am creating...

TUTUS!! I am up to my ears in tulle. I made my first no-sew tutu last night. I am SOO anxious to give it to my little wild child, that I don't know if I will be able to wait until Christmas!

I am going...

To KY at the end of the week to meet my newest nephew, Bryson!

I am reading...

Milly, Molly, Mandy Stories to the kids. (And trying to find "How to Make an Apple Pie and see the World")

I am hoping...

a GOOD night's sleep tonight. Although, sleepless nights, remind me that my children are here with me and give me opportunities to grow in virtue and holiness.

I am hearing...

The sump-pump in action, and blocks falling on the floor as my children attempt to tidy.

Around the house...

Cluttered counters need to be decluttered, and clothes need to be put away.

One of my favorite things...

Dark chocolate...oh how I have missed you.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Making a few more tutus, doubling up on the homeschooling(so we don't miss out because I am leaving), visiting the new house, cleaning out and switching clothes that don't fit or are out of season.

Here is picture I am sharing...

on the move during diaper change.

My first Daybook...

I have admired many a simple woman blogger who posts these beautiful peeks into their lives...here is mine.

The idea comes from The Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY

September 22, 2009

Outside my window...

The dark of night. While driving today, I happily, yet surprisingly, noticed the first of the trees showing its golden and orange hues. I love Fall.

I am thinking...

Of a dear friend whose husband is on the road to recovery from 3 strokes

I am thankful for...

the sweet hugs of my 10 month old

From the learning rooms...

Planning an autumn paint time for tomorrow. Making Fall trees with tempera paint and tissue paper

From the kitchen...

Another night of leftovers. Day 2 of 3 of no cooking/traveling husband.

I am wearing...

Pale green pajamas

I am creating...

a schedule that will make our daily life run more smoothly

I am going...

TO SEE U2 Tommorow

I am reading...

Anna Karinina

I am hoping...

for a full recovery for my friend

I am hearing...

Dancing with the Stars on the TV

Around the house...

Doing Laundry, unpacking from vacation

One of my favorite things...

Coffee...glad tomorrow will bring a fresh cup

A few plans for the rest of the week:

U2, Homeschooling, Seeing my kitchen be installed in the new house, helping with my niece and nephews as my SIL and BIL move into their new house, One more night of Hubby traveling.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My Beautiful Daughter celebrating her 7th Birthday at her surprise Tea party.

A Gift..

So, my 10.5 month old started hugging today. I mean, she really lays her precious sweet head on my chest or neck and just hugs. It is such a treasured moment. She proceeded later, to give big brother a looong huggie right before bed. They have such a sweet relationship. It makes a momma's heart happy. I love that little one. I am blessed by four wonderful gifts. How can people look at my joy and say with disgust that "you have your hands full?" Now, I understand, that some people say such things for lack of other things to say, very benignly. But, most, yes most, say it with a haughty "I know better than you attitude." Well, they have missed out. Their children have missed out. I am sad for them. Yes, my days don't always go down smoothly, they are not "scream free" (working on that), I lose my patience, and NEED to get out of the house sometimes. But, really, who doesnt? One child, no child, 10 children. It doesn't matter, everyone needs space sometimes. But I would NEVER EVER EVER have it any other way. I love my life. I love my children! I love my husband! Oky Doky.

Now, since I came into the post wanting to share my little lovie's hugs, not what just came out, I will move on :o). What can I say, sometimes a girl just needs to let it out. 

On to more stories about baby girl...She is talking. Yes that seems unrealistic, but I assure you, I am not one of those moms who swears their child is the next Mozart. I think I am pretty realistic. I don't usually say they do things before they do. But she is definitely talking...well...communicating. She says Mum(for more) she says Hi Anna(fairly clearly too), she says muma(Momma), she says dad, and she raises her arms for up. I am a proud momma. I am sorry, especially if whoever is reading this could care less. But I care, and so I write.