Happy Birthday mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

(October 27th)

You are the best!

Always there when I need you, and even when I don't.

A few things I learned from my mom:

Always have a toy drawer in your kitchen, a bottom drawer that kids can reach. It keeps them out of the drawers they shouldn't be in.

My mom has one, her mom has one, her mom had one... Makes it easier to work in the kitchen with small children.

When you don't have a high chair--

Or have one in your basement covered in dust & don't feel like bringing it up and cleaning it off, because you are lazy...

The solution, well the picture says it all, or if you want them to reach the table, have them sit on a large pot, then tie the dish towel around them. Both work VERY well.

Don't have buttermilk & no time to run to the store... add vinegar to your milk- Example, recipe calls for 1 cup of milk, add a tablespoon of vinegar (I have used both white & apple cider, they both work) to your 1 cup & let it sit for about 3-5 minutes. Wah-laa buttermilk.

Sunbreeze cures anything.

Sip vinegar water for an upset stomach or when you have over eaten- it aids digestion.

Have a bad cough, pour some rubbing alcohol to a bandanna & tie loosely around your neck, the alcohol fumes calm down your cough, this has worked with Trent and his asthma. We use this mostly at bed time when you or the kids are coughing so hard that neither of you can sleep.

It's okay to add wheat flour to your recipes, it's healthy for you & adds a little something.

I was Lucky enough to have a stay at home mom, who taught me to cook and clean and sew. It started in Joy School- not sure what it's called now days, when Mom's swap kids for a day. Cheaper version of pre-school. Each mom takes a day where the kids go to their house & have a lesson, snack and play time (about 2 hours) so that on the off days, moms had some time to clean, shop, sleep- whatever it is that moms do when they find themselves with extra time and no kids.

My mom was also active in the PTA and was room Mother numerous times. She did 4-H classes cooking basics (cookies) and also on crocheting. She was always willing to teach. I remember sewing bean bags & barbie clothes. I remember picking out fabric to have her sew me a dress or outfit of my choosing. Then onto quilts, which was a harder concept for me to learn, because every square had to be exact, every seam had to be exact, & I am not an "exact" person. I still like to sew, I just don't get the chance to as often as I'd like. Not to mention that now days, some clothes are cheaper to buy than to get fabric & sew them.

I use many of my mom's home remedies or "witchcraft" as Nic likes to tease. ( I have plenty more than I have lited for anyone who might like them.) I have many, many memories of my mom. The one I am going to share, makes me giggle every time I think if it. Back in 1998, my grandma was serving a mission in Hawaii. My mom, sister & I all went, with my 2 aunts & my cousin, to pick her up. We were able to stay with my grandma (saved some $$) We had heard that grocery prices there were outrageous $5.00 for a gallon of milk. So we took a few groceries with us. We were there for about 5 days if I remember right. on about day 3, my mom pulled out an ocean spray & wondered who would pack a single ocean spray- really??? Well it was me, but before I got to tell her, she had already opened it & took a drink. It took me a moment to regain my composure. She had just taken a drink of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice CONCENTRATE. The look on her face-The only description that comes close to describing it, is bitter beer face, and yet, it still doesn't come close.

Oh Mom, you gave us a scare earlier this year, I am glad you are still here. I appreciate all you do & have done for me & my family, especially this year.

I love You!

First Time

Okay, this picture has 2 "firsts" for me. I am sure you can see the first one.- Eyelashes. This was my first time putting on fake eyelashes. I had to get it right the first time, because they were self adhesive & pulling them off & trying to get then to have the same "stickiness" wasn't going to work. I could very well have them on the wrong eye, I am not sure if they have designated eyes. I don't know that I would wear them again. I found a GREAT mascara from Avon & it adds length to my eyelashes, so I'll keep to that.

The 2nd- 1st-- Well the red lipstick, I have never owned red lipstick until that night. My costume era, allows nothing BUT red Lipstick. Cassidy took the second picture of me & told me I looked like a vampire. I can see that. I have white teeth, which look even whiter when next to red lipstick! I also have very pointy K-9 teeth. Next full moon, watch out! Ü

Frosting Class

Frosting class, so many edible flowers!

Day Care Reunion

To protect the children in these photo's I won't be listing their names.

This is the house where my kids went to day care/ preschool up until about a year ago.

It was very hard to leave, however it was a great move for Debbie. She was always good with my kids, they learned so many fun songs and games. It was a nice reunion/Halloween party and good for my kids to see their old buddies. Sad how time flies & they all grow so fast, but such is life!

Katie Cupcake

I bet you thought this was going to be a post about cake-- Well it's not.
I entered & hope to win this super cool contest!
http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2009/10/kati-cupcake-giveaway.html
No, not cake, just some sweet sewing stuff. Did you know I like to sew when I get the chance?

Witchapoluza

So, I've never been to Gardner Village, but my friend Jessica raved about it last year. Nic's Mom & Sister had planned this outing for a few weeks. Nic's mom was in a car accident the night before & was not in any condition to go. So I took the ticket off her hands. I did some last minute dressing up (can you tell) and we went down, many little shops with over priced items, but still fun to look at. We then attended a dinner show, which was fabulous. I am positive I will be going again next year, with a better costume.


Don't we look scary???


The Witch costume fashion contest winners

Picture of people taking our pictures!

Witches shouldn't smile when they are trying to look mean.

A nice shot of my nose and eyelashes

The B.. I mean the Witches Ü

A really fun group to have gone with.

Like my Tights-- I am pretty scary.

Next year I will be all decked out in Witch attire.

By far the coolest witch we saw!

Panning around to get the full effect of all the witches.

It's getting closer!

Stockton was VERY proud of a spider had he made at preschool.

He is such a little stud!

My first Halloween cake this year.

Frosting Flowers

Aren't they pretty, my kids wanted to eat them.

I have a friend who is an expert cake decorator, and was willing to teach me & a few of my friends how to make some frosting flowers.

The Pumpkin Garden

Look at those peepers!

That is going to be a lot of guts & seeds to clean out.

Yea for my pumpkin!

It's a fun time of year.



My mom & dads good friends invited our family to let each kid take a pumpkin. They had a blast! So did the adults Ü.

Thank You Briggs Family!!!

Zoo

What a good day for the zoo!

tatonka

Gotta love that 2:03 minute train ride

Even thought he can't admit it, Trent did have fun

The kids excitedly wait for the carousel

Lots of new babies at the zoo this year.

Good to see the animals out and about!

some cool dudes!