Holiday Hiatus!!!

Hey Ya’ll!!! I’ve been busy with my (day) job and with preparing for the Holidays that I just forgot about the Blog!

I am taking a Holiday Hiatus from the Blog. I want to be able to focus on my Family and celebrating! There will be nothing new until after January 1, 2019.

Enjoy celebrating with your Families! There will be so many fun things coming!

See you in 2019!!!

Make It Count!

Good Election Day Morning Everyone!!!!

I remember as a young child, going to the poling locations where my Mom or Grandma were volunteering. Seeing all of the people flooding in, the ballots being handled out, ballots being put into the locked boxes and the stickers at the end. It was something that I looked forward to participating in when I got older.

Today, my Boys had the day off from school and I took the day off of work to spent it with them. It doesn’t always happen, but today I was able to take my Boys with me when I voted.

We walked into our poling location and I handed over my driver’s license. As I was being handed my ballot, one of the Poll Workers said “Have a great time voting! Have a great rest of your day! Hey Boys, go watch your Mom vote and be proud of her!” It was sweet and put a huge smile on my face.
I voted and we each got a “I <3 Voting” sticker.

I encourage everyone to do your civic duty and vote!

Kitty Love

Kitty Cat Cuddle Crochet Party

Surprise!

I got a call today. 

My Sister called and said “You’re going to be an Aunt again!!!!” Let me tell you, at first I didn’t believe her. I thought that maybe she was playing a joke on me, and if you know my sister you know that she doesn’t joke much. Then, somehow I thought that she was telling me they were getting an animal...then I remembered that my sister isn’t much of an animal person. 

And then the tears of happiness began to flow!!!! 

In that moment, I was so overwhelmed with happiness and joy for my Sissy and Brother-in-law! Another Little One to shower with love! Another Little One to crochet lots of lovely things for (especially if it’s a Girl)! 

My Sissy and her Husband like to find out the gender of the Baby at the moment of birth. It’s their thing...me, I want to know right now!!!! Of course, I will have to wait. 

I am already the Proud Aunt of Jack and Owen, my sweet Nephews. Being an Aunt is AMAZING!!!! I love my Nephews!!!! It’s one thing to be a Parent, it’s completely different when it comes to being an Aunt. It’s even better because this time around, my Sissy will be in the same state as me!!! They used to live in North Carolina and I wasn’t able to be there when my nephews were born. This time, I will be able to be there and to help with my Nephews. Whatever they need.

Until that lovely day in March, when I am crowned Aunt Bean for the 3rd time, I will craft and plan for another Sweet Baby to love and adore. 

Baking Bonanza

Hey Friends! 

I’m sorry that I’ve been a bit MIA over that last few weeks. The Boys have been busy at school and I’ve been working overtime a lot. I’ve been one tired Momma. 

I don’t know about the weather where ya’ll live, but here in Ohio, Fall is coming in hot and it’s getting a bit chilly. I’ve been spending more time inside getting things done. Working on some crocheted Christmas gifts and baking a lot. I don’t know about you, but I got bit by the Baking Bug big time! All of the recipes that I used I got from https://www.allrecipes.com

You can’t go wrong with recipes form real people, with real reviews and tips and tricks to know while on your Cooking Journey! Though, I will admit that I like to live dangerously and not look at the reviews just to see if I can make it work without any help. Most of the time it works and sometimes it doesn’t. In the end, it’s about making yummy food and enjoying the process! 

Happy Cooking!

Lepinja (Serbian Flatbread)

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/214925/lepinja-serbian-flatbread/

Pumpkin Gingerbread

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/23822/pumpkin-gingerbread/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%206

Easiest Focaccia Recipe

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/23419/easiest-focaccia-recipe/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Bagel Bread

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/16896/bagel-bread/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Honey Cornbread

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24517/honey-cornbread/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Mayonnaise Biscuits

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24023/mayonnaise-biscuits/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Super Easy Rosemary Bread Machine Bread

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/214650/super-easy-rosemary-bread-machine-bread/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Focaccia Bread

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17918/focaccia-bread/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%202

Almost No Fat Banana Bread

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/23426/almost-no-fat-banana-bread/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Polvorones de Canele (Cinnamon Cookies)

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10848/polvorones-de-canele-cinnamon-cookies/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/11201/banana-chocolate-chip-cookies/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Easy Biscuits

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/6855/easy-biscuits/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search&clickId=cardslot%201

Getting Squirrely

Before you go any further, yes I’m talking about an actual Squirrel. 

The other night, as I’m standing over my stove making dinner, Logan came in and said “Hey Mom, you have to come look at this! It’s a baby squirrel!” I’ll admit, when I first heard it I didn’t believe it. For all I knew, Logan could have been tricking me so he could make fun of me about something (it has happened), or maybe it was a chipmunk and not a squirrel. I turn down the heat on the chicken I was cooking and head outside. 

I walk over to the tree in the front yard where Mase is standing and I look down...sure enough, there was a tiny baby squirrel curled up in the grass! It’s eyes were closed so it was very young, but it was breathing and clearly alive (Hallelujah!!!!). I told the boys to keep away and hopefully the Mama Squirrel would come back. Inside, I’m freaking out because I need this Mama Squirrel to come back and get her baby! I text my friend and neighbor, Jewel, and ask her if she has someone to contact in case the Mama doesn’t come back. Thankfully, Jewel being Jewel, she came through and gave me the name, number and Facebook contact for a lady named Fran Kitchen who is the owner/operator of a non-profit wildlife rescue/rehab place. 

Fast Forward several hours, I go check on the baby and it’s still there. It’s getting darker and I can’t leave this baby outside. I wouldn’t leave my baby outside so I need to figure out what to do. I go to Fran’s page and I get her number to call...”the number you have dialed doesn’t have voicemail set up...”!!!! I continue to look at her page and she has a number for another lady on her page in case Fran can’t be reached, she also gave info in how to keep the baby warm while waiting to get in contact with her. So, I find a plastic bottle with a screw top and fill it with hot water and put a sock on the bottle. I asked Mase to get a towel so I can pick up the baby. As I wait, my mind is racing with “what ifs”. 

Once I pick up the baby in the towel, making sure to not touch it, I decide to place the baby and the bottle near the tree as a last ditch effort to get the Mama to come get her baby. The baby started to perk up and squeak more once it felt the warmth from the bottle, surely the Mama would hear her baby and come get it...right? I waited for an hour as it got darker and went out...baby was still there. So, I had Mase get a towel and place it inside the cat carrier we have in the garage. I place the baby inside, with the bottle close by and close the door on the carrier. We can figure something out int he morning. 

Of course, I had to go to work. I worried the whole time that something would happen to the baby. I kept researching and seeing if there were more people I could contact. I contacted one to see if she would be able to take it, but she wasn’t able to. I figured that I should probably cool my jets and wait until I get home to make sure the baby is still alive before I call and make arrangements. 

I get home and find that baby is not only alive, but moving around a bit more. I get some towels, an eye dropper and some water and set to work on trying to get some water in the baby. It did well, but it wasn’t taking a lot in. I put the baby down on the towels that I had on my lap and very gently stroked one finger down it’s back and knew that this baby needed much more than just the little bit of water I was able to give it. I picked up my phone and called Fran...and she answered!!!! I could drop the baby at her place!!! 

I carefully packed up the baby for the short trip to Fran’s. Logan had just gotten home from school, so I took him with me to help. We made it to Fran’s in no time and we were able to get the baby checked in. We found out that the baby was in fact a girl. She was uninjured and healthy and came at the perfect time because Fran was just about to start feeding time for her other wildlife critters. 

I left Baby Girl in the very capable hands of Fran, who runs Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. Fran rescues and rehabilitates wildlife that have been injured or orphaned. Fran’s operation runs on donations and I highly recommend donating. Go check out her website! You never know if you might be in the situation that I was in. Save a Life! Make a Donation! 

http://www.operationorphanwildlife.com/

Survive and Thrive

Well, I don’t know about the rest of you...but we survived the first 2 weeks of school!!!!!

 It’s been a little rough since Logan is going to the Middle School and has to get up earlier (which cuts into my sleep in/bathroom time!), but it could be worse. Mase and John are still on the same normal schedule so nothing has changed for them. It’s really just about Momma juggling the mayhem lol!

The Highs this week:

-Shawn got his Driver’s license and is now street legal!
-Logan is doing great at the Middle school and can’t wait for Track to start...even though its months away.
-Mase just got his saxophone and is busy making “joyful noise” as my former Middle School Band Director used to say.
-We called the boys off of school and John took them to Cedar Point with his Dad. They best time to go is when everyone is in school. Kids don’t stay little for long, so we are enjoying ours while we can!

So far, we are off to a great start!

School’s In!

It’s that time of year again...IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

After weeks of shopping, organizing, stress and excitement (for me), Logan and Mason are going back to school. Logan is in 7th grade this year and at the middle school. Mason is in the 5th grade and in second year at the intermediate school.

I pray that this year is a good year for both boys. A year full of growth and knowledge.

Pura Vida Bracelets

Hey Everyone! Go check out Pura Vida’s website. Super cute bracelets and jewelry! Choose from your favorite colors or choose a charity! Use my Rep Code to get 20% off ALL of your orders! 

https://www.puravidabracelets.com

It’s My Birthday!!!

Today is my Birthday!!!! 

I am 35 years old today! Oh my, I just said my age (insert shocked emoji face)! Yeah, so what! 

For so many years we are in a hurry to grow up or to get to a certain age. First, it’s 10 because you’re “double digits”. Then 16, so you can drive. Next is 18, so people will know that you’re a legal adult (notice I said legal and not actual)...and the list goes on. Too often we are in such a hurry to get to the next milestone age, that we forget to enjoy all of the great things that happen along the way. 

Things start changing once you hit your 30’s. People start hiding their age or lying about it all together. 

STOP IT!!! 

Wisdom and experience comes with age! Knowledge comes with age! Maturity comes with age! 

Now, just because I’m 35 doesn’t mean that I know everything, I still have plenty to learn. I certainly know more than than I did in my 20’s. It’s time that we appreciate every year as another year of growth and change. 

We have all lost people in our lives, some of them way too soon. Keep in mind that growing older is not a luxury afforded to everyone. 

So yes, you might gain a little weight, your hair might go grey and you get a few more wrinkles on your face...SO WHAT! We aren’t all going to be stick skinny, your hair will naturally turn grey (and if done correctly, you too can have beautiful salt and pepper hair like my Mom) and the wrinkles mean that you have smiled a lot and are happy! 

Embrace Life!

Embrace Change! 

Embrace your Age! 

The time is now! 

This Is Me!!

This Song “This Is Me” by Keala Settle from the movie,The Greatest Showman, really speaks to me. Let your Freak Flag Fly!!! Be you! Don’t apologize because you aren’t like everyone else! We are all wonderful and unique in our own ways! Celebrate YOU!!! 

Dr. Seuss said it best,

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”

This Is Me by Keala Settle from the movie The Greatest Showman

I'm not a stranger to the dark

Hide away, they say

'Cause we don't want your broken parts

I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars

Run away, they say

No one will love you as you are

But I won't let them break me down to dust

I know that there's a place for us

For we are glorious

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I'm meant to be, this is me

Look out 'cause here I come

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum

I'm not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me

Another round of bullets hits my skin

Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in

We are bursting through the barricades

And reaching for the sun (we are warriors)

Yeah, that's what we've become

Won't let them break me down to dust

I know that there's a place for us

For we are glorious

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

Gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I'm meant to be, this is me

Look out 'cause here I come

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum

I'm not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me

...This is me

And I know that I deserve your love

There's nothing I'm not worthy of

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

This is brave, this is bruised

This is who I'm meant to be, this is me

Look out 'cause here I come (look out 'cause here I come)

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum (marching on, marching, marching on)

I'm not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me

(Whenever the words wanna cut me down

I'll send the flood to drown them out)

This is me

Read All About It!

I have written and rewritten this post about a million times! I’m just not able to accurately convey how I feel about this subject. I’m so very passionate about this and it’s literally on my mind all day long!

You’re probably thinking that I must be crazy about the craziest thing. Maybe I am and I don’t mind it at all.

I’m talking about...FOOD!

Again, you’re probably thinking that I’m crazy. Let me set the stage for you...I have 3 Sons and 1 Husband! All they do is eat!

People say, “Of course, Boys eat a lot.” Um...no, my Boys were literally born to eat! They have always been big eaters and they are active, so I let them eat everything! Logan and Mason were going through a growth spurt at the same time and I spent the entire day feeding them! When I was a stay-at-home-mom I cooked 3 meals everyday...for 8 years!

By no means am I complaining, I loved it! I grew up with a Grandma who showed her love through her cooking and a Dad who taught himself how to cook when my Mom went to work. Cooking is not only a vital part of life, but it’s very satisfying as well. Not only do I fill the hungry bellies of my Guys, but it literally makes my heart happy to cook for them.

We like trying all different kinds of food and thankfully with traveling and searching for recipes, we are able to try anything. My Boys are very adventurous with what they eat. Frog legs, sushi, calamari, curry, gator...the list goes on. They have always been good about trying things which is great because then we don’t have to rely on “kid food” when we eat out.

I’m always looking for recipes. One of the first things that I did when I found out that I was pregnant with Logan was to look for recipes that I could easily (and cheaply) double or triple! I know what we like and I know that with the right recipe, I can get them to try new things and like them.

I’m not into “hiding veggies” in my kids food either. When we had the boys, we decided that since we wanted them to be healthy and to eat well, we had to as well. We started them on fruits and veggies from the beginning and it has never been a problem for us. Yes, there are certain things they don’t like, but then we don’t eat them. As I’ve told many people, I am not a short order cook, you eat what is put in front of you and that’s it. I take great care in cooking healthy and tasty food for my family, so no one ever goes hungry.

Let’s be honest, I don’t cook healthy all the time. If we want pizza, then we eat pizza. I try where I can to incorporate as much of the healthy stuff to outweigh the bad. No one is perfect and I certainly don’t try to be.

I love cooking and food so much that almost 2 years ago I joined the Allrecipes Allstar Brand Ambassador Program for the Allrecipes Magazine and Website. It is a volunteer position and I am not compensated for my work. The products received from advertisers are only used for experience-based reviews.

The Allrecipes community is amazing! There are so many home based cooks with different backgrounds that bring a lot of unique and yummy recipes to the table! Recently, my recipe for Spicy Grilled Broccoli was published on the website. Let’s just say, I was super excited!
Food is something so simple but so powerful because it brings people together from across the World to across the table. With food you share your background, your ideas and techniques and your love…it doesn’t get much better than that!

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/266399/spicy-grilled-broccoli/

Summer Fun

Pool time at Mom’s with the Family #Family #SundayFunday #HotinOhio

Be Free

I’m not a fan of heights at all. I don’t freeze up and start shaking (no judgements) but I do get extremely nervous. I don’t mind roller coasters. They go so fast that before I know it, my nervousness has changed into excitement! I tell you right now, I will not be sky diving or Clift jumping any time soon.

Having kids, I had to overcome my fears…or at least hide them well. I don’t want my boys scared of everything. I want them to live their lives as fearlessly as possible. Fearless…but not dangerous or stupid.

Now that my boys are getting older, some of my fears have crept out of hiding. They see that I’m a little scared or nervous and they encourage me! They want me to have fun with them! Also, there are times When I’m the only parent able to go with them. What I’m nervous about ends up being an amazing time spent with my Boys!

I don’t want my boys cowering in a corner or hiding in my arms, scared of trying something. I want them to take risks and to enjoy the thrill of the unknown. Just think, if people didn’t take themselves out of their comfort zones, technology wouldn’t be as advanced as it is and there would be nothing thrilling or fun to do!

No one would know who Steve Jobs was because he wouldn’t have done anything to know about. No one would have seen Evel Knievel do his amazing stunts if he just sat around and did nothing in his life. Life would be so boring!

I do want my boys to be safe, but I know that I can’t protect them from everything forever. I want them to work hard and to enjoy their lives! I want them to be able to do everything they want to do in life!

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that scare us the most.

Playing with Yarn

I went to Hobby Lobby several weeks ago for the HUGE yarn sale. I found 3 skeins of I Love This Cotton. I had been meaning to try it, since they were on sale ($.82!) and the same color, I went for it! I have been working with a lot of cotton yarn for potholders lately, so I’m used to the feel of the yarn. I like the feel of ILTY, but it doesn’t work as well for potholders. So I set it aside and started to brainstorm.

Eureka! I can make a Market Bag! I started scouring Pinterest for patterns of bags and found some that looked pretty simple...and once I looked at the patterns, they weren’t so simple. I started playing around with the yarn and decided that I would make my own Market Bag. I figured that the worst thing that would happen would be that I had to frog the whole thing and put it away until I wanted to try again.

I kept working at it and surprisingly, I didn’t frog once! I made the whole bag and the strap in a matter of days! I’ll have to make another one and actually write down the pattern, but here is the finished product!

Sisters

Sisters are a great thing to have in your life! They are our first friends and sometimes you realize that they are your only friends.

Two years, 10 months and 3 days after Angela was born, I showed up and made her a Sister. I’m not sure that she was exactly thrilled about my arrival, but I wasn’t going anywhere. I was definitely the little sister who was always tagging along and wanting to hang out with my Sissy and all of her cool friends. Angela, on the other hand, wanted me to get lost. 

We were the sisters who always bickered over everything. Sometimes we would get along, but more times than not, we were fighting over something silly. Angela and I are complete opposites. Angela is the firstborn, so she has always been very organized, goal oriented, and would always follow the rules. I, being the youngest child, was messy, did what I wanted and broke the rules every chance I got. 

We are two Peas in the same Pod...but we are vastly different Peas. This caused a lot of issues, but now we have been able to appreciate out differences. I now seek Angela’s calm and wise council, while she can now understand my craziness...well, a little bit! Differences make the world go ‘round and maturity is terrific!

After growing up with one sister, I have been blessed with receiving 5 more sisters through marriage!

Andréa is only about 5 months younger than me. She is tall, gorgeous (Hello! She’s a Model!), and just the sweetest girl in the world!

Sara is the youngest. I had the privilege of watching her grow up from elementary school to young adulthood.

Sophie is my newest sister. Though I don’t know her that well, I would best describe her as a Fairy, mixed with a Unicorn with a little bit of sass thrown in! Sophie is sweet, funny and very eclectic.

Kim and Christine are John’s stepsisters. We don’t see then all that often, but they are always so welcoming when we get together.

I have an interesting mix of Sisters. There is Beauty in Diversity...especially when it comes to Sisters!