When we take a break...

...I really do miss them, and I'll be happy on January 3rd when I go back. But for now I'm so excited to hang out with these folks (and possibly not change out of my jimjams for an entire day!)

(okay...so I know I posted this picture a few months back - but it's a good one, right? I mean, just look at their faces - classic)

Pie and Pillows

I got a big bite of humble pie yesterday as I was attempting to make a new tree skirt for the Christmas tree. When you think of a tree skirt it doesn't sound that complicated right? I was keeping it simple - cutting out some wedges sewing them into a doughnut shape and quilting it - piece of cake. Ha! After numerous hours of failed attempts to salvege my mistakes I threw in the towel. But, I definitely learned some things....first and foremost that I am not above a pattern... My efforts didn't all go to waste though - I made some pillows out of the wreckage. I LOVE the Christmas shopper pattern!

I {heart} Prime

Come Monday, my little man will be 8 months old. Prime is just the sweetest little kid. I think this may be one of my favorite stages. Everything is a new discovery - I love watching his face as he examines a piece of paper...or a ball...or a spoon...anything and everything is fascinating.

These are a few of his favorite things right now:

1. Mommy
2. Laughing
3. Mommy
4. Car Rides
5. Mommy
6. Bread
7. Mommy
8. Crawling
9. Mommy
10. Anything that makes a crinkle noise
11. Mommy
12. The blue wrap
13. Mommy

So...The kid loves his mom. And I can't complain a bit. It does a working mom's heart good to know that although I don't get to spend the hours I wish I could with him, that I'm still #1.
Matt doesn't seem to mind.

*Photo above by Heidi (scroll down her site to see some of our family pictures I have yet to post) It's awesome to have a photographer as a best friend!*

Food on the Brain

I've been on a major pumpkin kick lately and have been indulging in all the wonderful foods I have not been eating for the past 8 months since Prime's birth and the whole "no dairy" thing...Did I blog about that? That's a whole post on it's own...anyways, long story short - I'm enjoying dairy again! whoo-hoo! I came up with this dish last night. Usually I'm not a huge "breakfast for dinner fan" but this one may convert me. I found a basic recipe, tweaked it....and voila! make and enjoy....really...you should do it...

Eggnog Pumpkin Pancakes

• 2 cups Bisquick
• 2 large eggs
• 1-1/4 cups eggnog
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk (until it's the right consistency)
  
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
  
• 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Not that anyone needs this next part...but whatevs....

1. Preheat a griddle to 375 degrees F, or heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat.


2. Whisk together all ingredients until well-combined.


3. rest for a bit (you and the batter)
   


4. Turn griddle down to 350 degrees.


5. Ladle quarter-cupfuls of the batter onto the griddle. Cook until the edges of the pancakes start to set and bubbles start to form on the surface of the pancakes.


6. Flip. Cook another 1-3 minutes until pancakes are golden brown on the other side.

Serve immediately with whatever delicious things you like...my fav: Lemon Cream (delish), hot syrup, and Redi whip...my mouth is watering.

So...side note...has anyone else ever noticed that the Orville Redenbacker guy looks like a combo of Don Knott's, Gilbert Godfried, and maybe a even a little of Aunt Jemima?...just saying...

++?=

Friends

I couldn't resist sharing this picture! Isn't Luke so cute? Emmie thinks so too! She LOVES him! We have been having a great time hanging out with some of our favorite people!

This picture was taken on the Saturday before Halloween...hence the purple pants - Luke was the Hulk :)

p.s. isn't our backyard awesome in all of its overgrown glory? Since this picture, the lawn has been mowed and seeded and hopefully soon we will have some wonderful winter grass!

{ruffled cardigan}

I have a serious lack of cute cardigans in my closet...mostly because I can't justify spending upwards of $20 on an "accessory"...are cardigans accessories? I don't know...maybe...I just know they are not necessary for my wardrobe - but I love them and drool over them constantly. So...I took matters into my own hands. Here is one I made from a black t-shirt - 2 actually...the ruffles were tighter than anticipated so I cut up one of Matt's shirts too (don't worry...he was cool about it). I apologize for the picture....it looked even worse in color...maybe some day I'll figure out how to teach Matt how to take cute pictures of me wearing the stuff I make. An actual camera (not a cell phone) might help too! What a good husband for trying!

Anyways, this is not my original idea - click HERE if you want to make one too!

When I asked my sister what she thought about it she told me, "humm...I haven't decided yet." which really means, "that's ugly - but I know you like it so I'm not going to say anything bad." Whatever. I DO love it! And, it's wonderful having a sister who will give me her opinion on things. That's what's sister's are for! (Love you, Ceri!)

Yeah for cute clothes that cost nothing!

{apron}

A few of my students helped me make my new school apron!

I've been needing a new one for a long time (I've been sporting an awesome purple plastic apron that, on a few occasions, my not so tactful students have informed me that my apron is ugly and Ms. Cassie's (my assistant) is nice. So when Cassie came in with a second totally cute apron I needed to step it up). We (2 students and I) took Cassie's apron and traced all of the main parts then labeled them and cut them out. I love how they sounded all the parts out! Can you read 4 year old? so cute!

The next day I brought the fabric to school and the helped me cut all the pieces out. They thought the finished product was pretty cool and get really excited when I wear it. It's nice not to have "the ugly apron" anymore. Plus we had a nice conversation about how clothes are made. cool.

P.S.

Oh... and my co-worker sent me a picture of her whole Cruella costume - totally rad, right?